Faster, resilient: The high-tech successor to the iconic century-old Pamban rail bridge

K Nitika Shivani Apr 06, 2025 Tamil Nadu

[{"selector":"#anim-71f18d45-4b2d-4faa-b6ba-30c31886e3d8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(8.572918774364485%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Tamil Nadu Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, connecting Mandapam on the Tamil Nadu mainland with Rameswaram island. Read the article

[{"selector":"#anim-929f28ef-33ac-4af8-9bba-a495a3e4aacd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(14.816262491744912%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Tamil Nadu The New Pamban Bridge replaces the iconic 110-year-old Pamban rail bridge and is expected to boost regional transport, tourism, and economic development. Read the article

[{"selector":"#anim-4b0b1559-ebe5-463f-98bb-a2a73d3ae7f7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Tamil Nadu Constructed by Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) at an estimated cost of ₹531 crore, the 2.07-kilometre-long bridge stretches across the Palk Strait. Read the article

[{"selector":"#anim-1cd48438-f130-4332-a625-0b82d3f1c65f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.59765614440325%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Tamil Nadu It features a 72.5-metre-long vertical lift span that can rise up to 17 metres, allowing large vessels and fishing boats to pass. Read the article

[{"selector":"#anim-ad032f6c-8a87-4848-ad47-8d163b2660d7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(28.90624987200394%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Tamil Nadu The new bridge allows trains to travel at speeds of up to 80 kmph, a significant improvement over the 10 kmph limit on the old structure. Read the article

[{"selector":"#anim-b3f14d54-2ab3-44e2-b698-3a0f391360b1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Tamil Nadu It incorporates wind-resistant and earthquake-resilient features, and is expected to last over 100 years with minimal maintenance in its first 35 years. Read the article