PM Modi Inaugurates India’s First Vertical Lift Sea Bridge in Rameswaram

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the newly constructed Pamban Bridge, a groundbreaking achievement in India’s railway infrastructure. Spanning 2.08 kilometers over the Palk Strait, the bridge connects the sacred island of Rameswaram to the mainland, replacing the century-old structure decommissioned in 2022.

The new Pamban Bridge is India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge. Its most striking feature is a 72.5-meter central span that can be lifted up to 17 meters, allowing large ships to pass beneath. During the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi remotely operated the lift mechanism and also flagged off the Rameswaram–Tambaram Express along with a Coast Guard ship, officially bringing the bridge into service.

Built at an estimated cost of ₹550 crore, the bridge boasts 99 spans, 333 foundation piles, and 101 pile caps, all engineered to withstand the challenging marine conditions. The structure rises three meters higher than the original 1914 bridge, enabling smaller vessels to pass without lifting the span, streamlining maritime movement.

To ensure longevity and reduce maintenance, the bridge uses stainless steel reinforcements, fully welded joints, and an advanced polysiloxane coating to resist corrosion. Its dual-track design is ready to support both freight operations and semi-high-speed trains like the Vande Bharat Express, aligning with India’s growing rail demands.

The successful trial run conducted before the inauguration validated the bridge's performance and safety, paving the way for smoother and more efficient rail connectivity to Rameswaram—a site of religious and cultural significance.

The new Pamban Bridge stands as a symbol of India’s technological advancement and commitment to building future-ready infrastructure.