New Pamban Bridge

9 Aug, 2025
Puducherry Exams Puducherry Assistant Tier - I Mock Tests 0

New Pamban Bridge

  • Inauguration

    • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly constructed Pamban Bridge on April 6, 2025.

    • Replaces a 110-year-old structure that connected Rameswaram to the Indian mainland.

    • India’s first vertical lift sea bridge.

  • Historical Background

    • In 1876, the idea of linking India and Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) via Adam’s Bridge route was explored, but dropped due to high costs.

    • In 1906, an alternative was approved:

      • Railway line from Madurai to Dhanushkodi via Rameswaram.

      • Steamer service from Dhanushkodi to Sri Lanka.

    • The old Pamban Bridge:

      • India’s first sea bridge.

      • Height: 12.5 metres above sea level.

      • Supported by 145 piers.

      • Featured double-leaf bascule span (Scherzer rolling lift bridge) for ship passage.

  • New Bridge Features

    • Links Rameswaram to mainland India.

    • Built at a cost of ₹700+ crore.

    • Length: 2.08 km.

    • 99 spans + 72.5-metre vertical lift span (rises up to 17 metres).

    • Facilitates smooth ship movement and seamless train operations.

    • Built with:

      • Stainless steel reinforcement.

      • High-grade protective paint.

      • Fully welded joints.

    • Advantages:

      • Increased durability & reduced maintenance.

      • Designed for dual rail tracks for future expansion.

      • Polysiloxane coating protects from marine corrosion.