PM Modi to Inaugurate India's First Vertical Lift Sea Bridge, New Pamban, on Ram Navami

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, linking Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram Island to the mainland, on the occasion of Ram Navami on April 6.

Before the inauguration, Modi will offer prayers at the Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram. The New Pamban Bridge, hailed as a modern engineering marvel by the Ministry of Railways, will then be formally opened.

The ministry of railways said the New Pamban Bridge is a modern engineering marvel, being India's first vertical lift sea bridge. (Image: @RailMinIndia/X)

Spanning 2.1 km, this state-of-the-art bridge is India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, featuring a 72-meter vertical lift span. It represents a major upgrade from the 104-year-old Pamban Bridge, which used a cantilever system.

The Prime Minister had laid the foundation stone for the project in March 2019, with construction commencing the following year. Built by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) at a cost of ₹580 crore, the bridge was completed in September 2024, with trial runs conducted in November 2024.

72-Metre Vertical Lift Span

The standout feature of the New Pamban Bridge is its 72-meter vertical lift span, enabling ships to pass underneath. The Ministry of Railways successfully launched this lift span, marking a major achievement.

Built with an electro-mechanical system, the bridge is designed to support a double track. The ministry has also conducted successful OMS-engine runs on it. Currently, the approved speed for trains is 75 kmph, which may be adjusted based on operational feedback once services commence.

In contrast, the original Pamban Bridge, designed by the British in 1914, relied on cantilever technology that required manual lifting. This process halted train operations for about one and a half hours whenever ships needed to pass, making it both time-consuming and labor-intensive.

With the new bridge, this entire operation takes just 10 minutes, thanks to mechanization. This advancement increases the availability of both train and ship movements. Once operational, the bridge will resume passenger and freight train services, replacing the old structure that was shut down in 2022.

What is the function of the bridge?

Before the bridge is lifted vertically, a siren sounds to alert those working nearby. The 72-meter section is then raised, a process that takes precisely five minutes and 30 seconds. The control room responsible for the vertical lifting is situated at the top of the bridge.

The entire operation is closely monitored via CCTV cameras. Once the lifting is complete, the bridge is lowered to resume train operations. A loud siren is sounded again to signal the lowering process, ensuring the safety of those involved and preventing any mishaps.

The bridge features a 34-meter-high tower, while the lift span, including the tracks, weighs 1,470 metric tons. The lifting mechanism is interlocked with the train control system, ensuring that no trains are allowed to pass while the bridge is being raised.

How does it appear?

The New Pamban Bridge draws inspiration from London’s Tower Bridge. Its construction involved 5,800 metric tonnes of stainless steel and 3,40,000 cement bags.

Built on a pile foundation, the bridge features 333 piles anchored in the Bay of Bengal, Tamil Nadu, with an average depth of 38 meters below the seabed.

The project’s actual cost stands at Rs 580 crore, surpassing the initially sanctioned Rs 280 crore. The bridge was essential to future-proof the route, support increasing traffic, enhance durability, and enable seamless maritime navigation.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)