PM inaugurates new Pamban bridge, an engineering marvel

PrashantNews

Showcasing India’s engineering excellence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the new Pamban bridge, India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu built with a cost of Rs 700 crore.

The new Pamban bridge replaced the old one with same name which was also considered as an engineering marvel. It was constructed during the British rule in 1914 but was closed in 2022 after some cracks were found.

The new bridge was constructed in a record 5 years time after its foundation stone was laid in 2019 by Modi. The construction began in 2020 but was delayed due to covid pandemic.

“A special day for India’s efforts to build top quality infrastructure! The New Pamban Bridge was inaugurated and Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) train service was flagged off,” Modi wrote on X after the inauguration.

The Pamban Bridge, linking Rameswaram to the mainland, stands as a remarkable feat of Indian engineering on the global stage. It is built at a cost of over Rs 700 crore. It is 2.08 km in length, features 99 spans and a 72.5-metre vertical lift span that rises up to a height of 17 metres, facilitating smooth movement of ships while ensuring seamless train operations.

Constructed with stainless steel reinforcement, high-grade protective paint, and fully welded joints, the bridge boasts increased durability and reduced maintenance needs. It is designed for dual rail tracks to accommodate future demands. A special polysiloxane coating protects it from corrosion, ensuring longevity in the harsh marine environment.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation various rail and road projects worth over Rs 8,300 crore in Rameswaram.

He also performed darshan and pooja at Ramanathaswamy temple at Rameswaram. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Modi said “today marks the auspicious occasion of Shri Ram Navami”. He said that earlier today, the divine rays of the sun adorned Ram Lalla with a grand tilak at the magnificent Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. “Lord Shri Ram’s life and the inspiration of good governance from his reign serve as a significant foundation for nation-building”, he said.

“I feel blessed to have prayed at the Ramanathaswamy temple today”, said Modi, adding that on this special day, he had the opportunity to hand over development projects worth ₹8,300 crore. He stressed that these rail and road projects will significantly boost connectivity in Tamil Nadu. He congratulated the people in Tamil Nadu for these transformative initiatives.

Noting that Rameswaram is the land of Bharat Ratna Dr. Kalam, whose life demonstrated how science and spirituality complement each other, the Prime Minister said, “the new Pamban bridge to Rameswaram symbolizes the union of technology and tradition”. He emphasized that a town thousands of years old is now connected by a 21st-century engineering marvel. He expressed gratitude to the engineers and workers for their dedication and hard work. Modi highlighted that this bridge is India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, allowing big ships to sail underneath while enabling faster train travel. He mentioned flagging off a new train service and a ship earlier today and congratulated the people of Tamil Nadu for this remarkable project.

Underlining that the demand for this bridge had persisted for many decades, Modi said that, with the blessings of the people, the privilege of completing this work was achieved. He emphasized that the Pamban bridge supports both Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Travel, positively impacting the lives of lakhs of people. The Prime Minister underscored that the new train service will enhance connectivity from Rameswaram to Chennai and other parts of the country. He added that this development will benefit trade and tourism in Tamil Nadu, while also creating new job and business opportunities for the youth.

He stressed that in the last decade, the budget for infrastructure such as railways, roads, airports, ports, electricity, water, and gas pipelines has increased nearly six fold. “Today, mega projects are progressing rapidly across the country”, he exclaimed pointing out that in the North, the Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, one of the world’s tallest rail bridges, has been constructed. He added that in the West, Mumbai is now home to the country’s longest sea bridge, the Atal Setu. He further added that in the East, the Bogibeel Bridge in Assam stands as a testament to progress, while in the South, the Pamban Bridge, one of the world’s few vertical lift bridges, has been completed.

Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation various rail and road projects worth over Rs 8,300 crore in Tamil Nadu. These projects include foundation stone for four-laning of 28 Km long Walajapet – Ranipet section of NH-40 and dedication to the Nation of 4-laned 29 Km long Viluppuram – Puducherry section of NH-332; 57 Km long Poondiyankuppam – Sattanathapuram section of NH-32 and 48 Km long Cholapuram – Thanjavur section of NH-36. These highways will connect many pilgrim centres and tourist places, reduce distance between cities and enable faster access to Medical College and Hospital, Ports besides empowering local farmers to transport agricultural products to the nearby markets and boost economic activity of local leather and small scale industries.