Rs 535 cr Pamban Bridge inauguration by PM Modi: All you need to know about India’s first vertical lift sea bridge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates India's groundbreaking vertical lift sea bridge in Rameswaram, costing Rs 535 crore. The new Pamban Bridge replaces a 110-year-old structure.

Rs 535 cr Pamban Bridge inauguration by PM Modi: All you need to know about India’s first vertical l

Pamban Bridge

time

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, the new Pamban Railway Bridge in Rameswaram, today on Ram Navami.

Built at a cost of Rs 535 crore, the 2.08-km structure replaces the 110-year-old iconic bridge connecting Rameswaram Island to mainland Tamil Nadu. Designed to endure harsh marine conditions, it marks a leap in India’s infrastructure capabilities.

Historical Legacy & Necessity for Replacement

The original Pamban Bridge, opened in 1914, was a British-era engineering marvel with a unique Scherzer rolling lift mechanism. It survived a devastating 1964 cyclone that destroyed Dhanushkodi town, thanks to rapid repairs by E Sreedharan (later known as the ‘Metro Man’). However, corrosion and structural wear led to its closure in 2022.

The new bridge addresses growing traffic needs and modern safety standards. It also holds cultural significance, lying near the Ram Setu, which is believed to be the ancient link between India and Sri Lanka.

ALSO READ: New Pamban bridge safe for train operations at 80 kmph for 100 years: RVNL chief

Engineering Marvel: Key Features

Vertical Lift Span: A 72.5-meter section lifts vertically by 17 meters, allowing large ships to pass without disrupting rail traffic.

Durability: Stainless steel reinforcements, anti-corrosion coatings, and welded joints ensure a 100-year lifespan.

Future-Ready Design: Built to support dual rail tracks, though currently operating on a single line.

Construction Challenges & Innovations

Executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the project faced turbulent seas, cyclones, and logistical hurdles. Engineers used hydraulic jacking and specialized launching girders to position the lift span. Despite COVID-19 delays, the team completed the bridge in November 2024.

Did You Know?

  • The original Pamban Bridge (1914) cost Rs 70 lakh—equivalent to over Rs 300 crore today, adjusted for inflation.
  • Its unique Scherzer rolling lift mechanism was patented by American engineer William Scherzer and manually operated by workers until 1988.
  • The old bridge facilitated a steamer service to Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) until the 1964 disaster severed the link.
  • The new bridge’s vertical lift span, weighing 1,150 tonnes, was positioned using hydraulic jacks and counterweights—a first in Indian rail history.
  • It has 99 spans in total, with the lift section taking 3 minutes to rise 17 meters, allowing ships up to 65 meters wide to pass.
  • The structure’s polysiloxane coating can withstand wind speeds of 150 km/h and seismic zone-III conditions.
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