New Pamban Bridge Set for Inauguration.

The newly constructed Pamban Bridge, connecting mainland India to Rameshwaram island, is set for inauguration soon after addressing safety concerns raised by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Southern Circle, AM Chowdhary.

R. Srinivasan, Senior Deputy General Manager at Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), which executed the ₹540 crore project, confirmed that all defects flagged by the CRS have been resolved. “We’ve submitted a report to Southern Railway, and the inauguration date will be decided by the Railways,” he said.

The bridge, India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, spans 2.07 kilometers over the Bay of Bengal and replaces the historic Pamban Cantilever Bridge, which was operational since 1914. Designed by international consultant TYPSA using a combination of European and Indian codes, the structure underwent double-proof checks by IIT Madras and IIT Bombay. The navigational span, equipped with an electro-mechanical system, can lift to a height of 17 meters, enabling ships to pass through.

The CRS report highlighted deviations in the lift span girder design, which followed foreign codes without adequate involvement of the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO). A five-member panel was formed to review these lapses. Despite concerns, the CRS has approved the bridge for train operations.

Southern Railway has implemented several innovative features to enhance durability, including corrosion-resistant polysiloxane paint with a 35-year design life, stainless steel reinforcement in concrete construction, and advanced welding techniques verified by the Welding Research Institute in Trichy.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently shared updates on the project, noting that construction and safety testing were complete, with the inauguration expected soon. The bridge promises travelers stunning views of the Gulf of Mannar while ensuring smoother and safer rail connectivity to Rameshwaram.

The old Pamban Bridge, once restored by E. Sreedharan and his team after the devastating 1964 cyclone, will be partially dismantled to allow the new bridge’s lift mechanism to operate. Work on the new structure began in February 2020, with rail services on the Pamban rail link suspended during construction.

The project represents a significant engineering achievement and a modern architectural marvel for Indian Railways, cementing its legacy in the nation’s infrastructure development.

HBL