New Delhi, April 5 (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the country’s first vertical lift Pamban railway bridge on April 6, on the occasion of Ram Navami. This vertical lift railway sea bridge connects Rameswaram Island to Mandapam in Tamil Nadu, passing over the sea. This bridge is not just a means to connect two locations but is also a symbol of new technology, self-reliant India, and fast transportation.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated during a conversation with reporters in Chennai on Saturday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the newly constructed Pamban railway bridge on Sunday. He mentioned that the Pamban Bridge is one of the most significant bridges in the history of railways. It will be the first vertical lift bridge constructed over sea water and is regarded as one of the greatest architectural marvels for Tamil history, culture, ancient Tamil civilization, and the Tamil language. Built at an estimated cost of ₹535 crore, this bridge will replace the old structure that was damaged due to corrosion.
According to the Ministry of Railways, this 2.08-kilometer-long bridge, constructed over the vast blue sea of Tamil Nadu, is three meters taller than the old Pamban bridge, allowing smaller ships to pass easily beneath it. The entire bridge employs 99 spans of 18.3 meters each. In the middle of the bridge, there is a vertical lift span of 72.5 meters, which can be raised up to 17 meters as needed for larger ships.
The unique lift system of the new Pamban bridge also allows larger ships to pass easily. Located over the Gulf of Mannar, this bridge not only facilitates traffic but also holds significant historical and mythological importance. Constructed using modern technology, this bridge is a major achievement for Indian Railways, which will greatly enhance tourism and trade relying on sea routes in the future.
Designed with a strong foundation using 333 piles and 101 pile caps for dual railway lines, this bridge can easily accommodate heavy freight trains as well as modern semi-high-speed trains like Vande Bharat. Additionally, an excellent protection system has been adopted to safeguard its surface for up to 58 years.
During the construction of this bridge, special attention has also been paid to conditions such as sea storms, strong winds, and tidal influences. The use of polysiloxane paint, stainless steel, and fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) will ensure that it remains strong and durable despite being amid salty seawater for a long time.
The construction of India’s first sea bridge, the Pamban Bridge, began in 1911 and was opened to traffic in 1914. At that time, it was the only sea bridge in India and remained the longest sea bridge until the opening of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link in 2010. During its service period, this bridge encountered several challenging situations and faced them with resilience. A cyclonic storm in 1964 caused significant damage to the bridge. Despite this, it stood steadfast amidst the ocean waves, dedicated to the nation for nearly 106 years.
The transport requirements of the 21st century and the changing needs of India presented various new challenges to the old Pamban Bridge. In light of this, the need for a new structure that would meet the requirements of modern trains and large sea vessels was felt. To address this need, the foundation stone for the construction of this new bridge was laid in 2019 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Due to a passion for innovation and unprecedented speed of development, this magnificent structure over the sea was completed in just 4 years.
It is noteworthy that the Pamban Bridge has a direct connection with Lord Ram and Lord Shiva. The bridge connects the island of Rameswaram to the mainland, which is considered extremely sacred in Hinduism. The Rameswaram Temple located here is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. It is believed that when Lord Shri Ram was about to attack Lanka, he established this Jyotirlinga and worshipped Lord Shiva.
The route passing through the Pamban Bridge is considered an important part of Lord Ram’s journey to Lanka, making it even more special from a religious perspective. According to the Ramayana, Lord Ram and his monkey army constructed the Ram Setu to reach Lanka, which is located near the present Pamban Bridge.
In this context, the new Pamban Bridge will make the pilgrimage to Rameswaram easier and safer for devotees. This bridge is constructed using modern technology, allowing devotees to visit the sites associated with Lord Shiva and Lord Ram without any hindrance.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
