Chennai, 6 April (H.S.) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, the New Pamban Bridge, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, today, marking a significant milestone in the country’s infrastructure development. The event, coinciding with Ram Navami, underscores the bridge’s cultural and technological importance, connecting the mainland to the sacred Rameswaram Island. According to DMK announcement on X handle(https://x.com/arivalayam/status/1908555460296298835), CM Stalin to skip PM Modi’s Pamban bridge opening event, will inaugurate Ooty projects.
The New Pamban Bridge, spanning 2.07 kilometers across the Palk Strait, replaces the historic 110-year-old Pamban Bridge, which was closed in 2022 due to structural concerns. Constructed at a cost of over Rs 550 crore by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the new bridge features a state-of-the-art 72.5-meter vertical lift span that can rise up to 17 meters, allowing large vessels to pass underneath without disrupting rail traffic. This engineering marvel, standing three meters higher than its predecessor, is designed to withstand harsh marine conditions and enhance connectivity between Rameswaram and mainland India.
During the inauguration, PM Modi will remotely operate the vertical lift mechanism and flag off the inaugural Rameswaram-Tambaram Express, alongside a Coast Guard ship, symbolizing the bridge’s dual role in rail and maritime connectivity. The event will be attended by Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and other dignitaries, though Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will be absent, as he is scheduled to inaugurate projects in the Nilgiris on the same day.
The bridge holds deep cultural significance, with its location near Dhanushkodi linked to the Ramayana’s narrative of the Ram Setu. Beyond its symbolic value, it promises economic benefits by improving transportation and boosting regional development. The structure, supported by 333 piles and 101 pile caps, has been certified as structurally safe by a high-level technical committee appointed by the Ministry of Railways.
In addition to the bridge inauguration, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone and dedicate various rail and road projects worth over Rs 8,300 crore to the nation. He will also offer prayers at the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, further emphasizing the day’s cultural resonance.
Security has been heightened in Rameswaram ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, with comprehensive preparations ensuring a smooth event. The New Pamban Bridge stands as a testament to India’s advancing engineering capabilities, blending innovation with heritage, and is expected to serve as a vital link for generations to come.
According to DMK announcement on X handle (https://x.com/arivalayam/status/1908555460296298835), Today (05-04-2025) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam President and Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Mr. M.K. Stalin participated in the ‘Meeting with Nilgiris District Party Executives’ program held in Udaha and provided guidelines for the 2026 Assembly Election work.
Hence, the CM Stalin to skip PM Modi’s Pamban bridge opening event, will inaugurate Ooty projects. The CM will inaugurate finished projects and lay foundations for new projects in the Nilgiris on Sunday, just about the time PM Modi will formally declare the country’s first vertical lift sea bridge at Pamban in Rameswaram open.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary
