Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the new Pamban rail bridge in Tamil Nadu. The new Indian Railways bridge, opened on Ram Navmi, connects mainland India to Rameswaram island. Pamban bridge is India’s vertical lift sea bridge, and with its inauguration, railway connectivity has been restored to Rameswaram Island. Rameswaram Island holds significance as one of the Char Dham pilgrimage destinations.
This enhanced connectivity will benefit devotees who visit this spiritual destination throughout the year from India and abroad. PM Modi demonstrated the Pamban bridge’s vertical lift mechanism remotely, and flagged off the inaugural run of Rameswaram-Tambaram Express service. A Coast Guard vessel passed under the new Pamban bridge, demonstrating its unique vertical lift mechanism.
The newly constructed Pamban bridge, costing around Rs 700 crore, will replace the previous structure that had deteriorated due to corrosion. This engineering marvel represents a substantial advancement in Indian Railways infrastructure.
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Rameswaram-Tambaram Express on Pamban bridge: Schedule & stoppages
- For its regular operations, Train number 16103 Tambaram-Rameswaram Express will depart from Tambaram at 18:10 hours to reach Rameswaram at 05:40 hours the next day. On the return journey, train number 16104 Rameswaram-Tambaram Express will leave from Rameswaram at 16:00 hours to arrive in Tambaram at 03:45 hours the next day.
- En route, the train will stop at Ramanathpuram, Paramakkudi, Manamadurai, Sivaganga, Karaikudi, Aranthangi, Pattukotai, Thiruthuraipoondi, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Chidambaram, Tiruppadiripuliyur, and Villupuram.
- Rameshwaram will now be connected by 15 pairs of trains. 14 pairs of train exteneion from Mandapam to Rameswaram and one new train daily from Tambaram to Rameshwaram.
New Pamban rail bridge: Salient Features – How does Pamban bridge work?
- Train operations will temporarily halt when ships need to traverse beneath the Pamban bridge’s vertical lift portion. The navigation section rises vertically to ensure adequate space for vessels to pass.
- The newly constructed Pamban bridge spans 2.07 kilometres.
- The project encountered considerable difficulties due to the severe conditions in the Palk Strait. Strong sea currents, powerful winds and unpredictable weather created significant challenges. The region’s susceptibility to cyclones and seismic activity required precise engineering solutions and robust structural design.
- The new Pamban Bridge by Indian Railways is designed to achieve: better transport capacity to accommodate increased rail traffic and higher speed operations, whilst enabling seamless passage of larger vessels.
- According to RVNL, the new Pamban Bridge demonstrates considerable improvement compared to its predecessor, enabling trains to operate at speeds up to 160 kmph, a notable increase from the previous 10 kmph limit. However, actual train speeds will be restricted to 80 kmph due to signal system constraints and track geometry.
- The newly built Pamban bridge is engineered to last 100 years and incorporates advanced engineering techniques that minimise maintenance requirements.
- The new Pamban bridge’s navigational section spans 72.5 metres and can be elevated to a height of 17 metres to facilitate passage of larger ships.
- The height of the newly constructed bridge exceeds its predecessor by 3 metres, enhancing maritime connectivity.
- Whilst the foundation supports two railway tracks, the upper structure currently accommodates a single railway line.
- The bridge’s durability is ensured through the implementation of contemporary construction materials and advanced engineering methods.
- The construction incorporates stainless steel reinforcement, superior-quality protective paint and completely welded connections.
- A specialised polysiloxane coating has been applied to shield the structure from corrosive effects, ensuring its durability in challenging maritime conditions.
Built in 1914, the old Pamban Rail Bridge connected the mainland to Rameswaram for 105 years. Decommissioned in December 2022 due to corrosion, it paved the way for the modern New Pamban Bridge, marking a new era of connectivity
The Ministry of Railways approved the construction of a replacement bridge in February 2019 to succeed the existing aged structure.