New Pamban Rail Bridge Lift Test Successfully Conducted

The most-anticipated India's first vertical lifting span of the New Pamban Bridge successfully raised, marking a significant milestone in the Railways of India. This bridge, which connects Rameswaram Island and the mainland, is set to improve navigation for vessels crossing the Palk Strait.

Engineers successfully completed the test lift of the new vertical span of the Pamban rail bridge on October 1 evening. The 30-tonne central span trial concluded when the 72.5-meter lift rose to its full height of 17 meters. 

In addition, the country’s first vertical lift rail bridge is set for commissioning after a 10-day trial, marking a major engineering feat in India’s railway history.

The New Pamban Bridge:

The new Pamban railway bridge spans 2.05 kilometers and is notable for being India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge. The bridge is designed to adapt to high-speed trains and was constructed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), at a cost of ₹535 crore.

According to official documents, the bridge consists of 100 spans, each measuring 18.3 meters, along with a key 63-meter navigational span. This new navigational span is 3 meters higher than the manually operated double-leaf bascule section of the old bridge, allowing larger vessels to pass beneath. 

With an air clearance of 22 meters above sea level compared to 19 meters on the old Bridge structure the new bridge particularly reduces the risk of collisions and structural damage.

Pamban Bridge History:

The Pamban Bridge is the first sea bridge in India. The bridge was originally opened on February 24, 1914, and has long served as a vital link for Rameshwaram. 

The original Pamban Rail Bridge has been an important transportation link since its construction in 1914 and faced operational challenges after severe corrosion damaged its double-leaf section, leading to the suspension of train services in December 2022. 

Since then, train operations have only extended to Mandapam, making the new bridge a vital infrastructure improvement for the region. The new vertical lifting Pamban Bridge is expected to open soon.