Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Pamban Railway Bridge in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district on Sunday, April 6. The Prime Minister operated the bridge’s vertical lift span using a remote device, allowing a Coast Guard ship to pass beneath it.
The newly inaugurated structure is the country’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge. PM Modi also flagged off a new train service between Rameswaram and Tambaram in Chennai.
Although Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin remained absent from the function citing prior engagements in the Nilgiris, the event saw the presence of several prominent leaders and officials. These included Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, state Minister Thangam Thennarasu, and BJP leaders K Annamalai, Sudhakar Reddy, H Raja, and Nainar Nagenthiran, along with Ramanathapuram District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon.
The 2.08-kilometre-long bridge, which cost Rs 550 crore to build, features 99 spans and a 72.5-metre vertical lift section capable of rising to 17 metres. It is designed with provisions for dual rail tracks.
The bridge’s vertical lift span weighs 660 metric tons. This lift system allows large vessels to pass beneath without interrupting rail operations. The bridge is expected to enhance connectivity to Rameswaram, a major pilgrimage destination.
Preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit had been in full swing for weeks, including a thorough inspection of key sites in Rameswaram and Pamban. Infrastructure and logistics were reviewed at important locations, such as the Ramanathaswamy Temple premises, the Mandapam camp helipad, Kunthukal, the Mandapam railway station, and the Pamban road bridge. A security review involving top officials from the railways, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies was also conducted to ensure the smooth execution of the inauguration.
In a statement issued on April 5, Indian Railways said, “Bridging the past, lifting the new, Pamban stands tall with a breathtaking view. This Ram Navami, witness the unveiling of India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge.”