Pamban railway bridge set for inauguration on April 6
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate India’s first vertical lift rail bridge, the New Pamban Bridge, on April 6, 2025, coinciding with Ram Navami.
This 2.05-kilometer-long structure will replace the aging Pamban Bridge, which was closed in 2022 due to corrosion concerns.
Built at a cost of Rs 279.63 crore by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the new bridge promises to enhance rail connectivity between the Indian mainland and Rameswaram Island, a significant pilgrimage site.
The New Pamban Bridge features an innovative vertical lift mechanism that allows a central span to rise vertically to a height of 22 meters.
This design enables maritime traffic to pass freely beneath the bridge, facilitating smoother navigation through the Palk Strait.
Unlike traditional bridges that swing open or pivot, the vertical lift system operates using an electro-mechanical mechanism that can be raised in just five minutes, minimising disruption to train services.
The engineering behind vertical lift bridges involves counterweights that balance the lift span as it moves.