Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday opened the highly anticipated new Pamban sea bridge, re-establishing the critical rail link between Rameswaram Island and the mainland of Tamil Nadu. After the ceremony, images showed the first train gliding over the state-of-the-art bridge.
With the bridge opening, Modi also commissioned a new train service between Tambaram (Chennai) and Rameswaram, adding strength to southern India’s rail connectivity.
#WATCH | Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu | Visuals of the first train crossing new Pamban Bridge after its flag-off ceremony.
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly constructed Pamban Railway Bridge today.
(Source: Ministry of Railways) pic.twitter.com/FIg73oIloa
— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2025
Boost to Connectivity and Coastal Security
In the inaugural ceremony, PM Modi also flagged off a Coast Guard vessel that sailed under the bridge, demonstrating its use as a vertical lift sea bridge. Intended to enhance regional connectivity, the project is likely to increase tourism to the spiritually important Rameswaram, visited by pilgrims throughout the year.
India’s First Vertical Sea-Lift Rail Bridge
Built at a cost of over ₹550 crore, the new Pamban Bridge is India’s first vertical sea-lift rail bridge. The bridge is 2.08 kilometers long and consists of 99 spans with a 72.5-meter vertical lift span with a lifting capacity of 17 meters, which enables large ships to sail without interrupting train operations.
The design replaces the old Pamban bridge, which was constructed by the British in 1914 and served the country faithfully for more than a century before it was retired in December 2022.
Sophisticated Engineering for Durability and Speed
Designed with a long-term performance in mind, the new bridge features stainless steel reinforcements, welded joints, and high-quality materials intended to withstand corrosion from the severe marine environment. Supported by 333 piles and 101 piers/pile caps, it is constructed to carry dual rail tracks, allowing room for future growth.
Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the public sector undertaking responsible for the planning and execution of the project, guaranteed that the bridge is capable of supporting trains with speeds of up to 80 kmph. “The new Pamban bridge is safe to operate trains at speeds of up to 80 kmph for 100 years,” MP Singh, director (operations), RVNL, stated.
Safety and Lifespan Guaranteed by Experts
The structural components of the bridge were put through stringent examination after the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) raised concerns with regard to alignment and resistance to corrosion. The CRS had initially imposed a restriction of 50 kmph of speed.
But a high-level committee consisting of members from the Railway Board, RDSO, IIT-Roorkee, and other organizations scrutinized the issues and established that the bridge was in line with all safety standards. It is presently rated for 50 Gross Million Tonnes (GMT) annual traffic load and is estimated to have a life of 100 years.
Southern Railway had previously issued a report in January on the corrosion-resistant paint system of the bridge. The report stated that the surface protection would give 38 years of maintenance-free life and 58 years with minimal maintenance.
Though the bridge can carry speeds of up to 160 kmph, a curve near Rameswaram required an 80 kmph safe operating limit.
Ceremony Attended by Key Dignitaries
The event for inauguration was attended by the top leaders in the form of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, and State Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu. PM Modi, who came from Sri Lanka, was greeted by Union Minister L Murugan and BJP Tamil Nadu unit president K Annamalai upon his arrival.
The new Pamban Bridge is set to have a revolutionary impact on southern India’s transport system. By bridging heritage with cutting-edge technology, and further unifying spiritual tradition with contemporary infrastructure, it marks a significant step forward in regional connectivity.
