PM Inaugurates India's First Vertical Lift Railway Sea Bridge: The New Pamban Bridge

Recently, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated the new Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu, which is also India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge.

About the New Pamban Bridge

1. Replacement of the Original Bridge: The newly inaugurated Pamban Bridge replaces the original cantilever bridge built in 1914, which was decommissioned in 2022.

• The new bridge connects Rameswaram Island to the mainland of India, providing crucial rail connectivity.

2. Design and Features: Designed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the new bridge features a 72.5-meter navigational span that can be raised up to 17 meters to allow larger ships to pass.

• This capability makes it an essential infrastructure asset for both rail travel and maritime navigation.

3. Vertical Lift Mechanism: The vertical lift bridge is a type of movable bridge in which a span rises vertically, while remaining parallel with the deck.

• This allows it to efficiently accommodate both trains and ships in the busy maritime route.