India’s First Vertical Lift Rail Bridge: The New Pamban Bridge

The New Pamban Bridge, India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, is replacing the 105-year-old Pamban Bridge to enhance connectivity between the Indian mainland and Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. This state-of-the-art bridge is a leap in railway infrastructure, designed for speed, safety, and modern train compatibility.

The 2.05 km long bridge, built at a cost of Rs 535 crore by RVNL, features a fully automated vertical lift span that provides 22 meters of air clearance for ships. It’s designed to handle double tracks and supports high-speed trains. The original Pamban Bridge, constructed in 1914, was decommissioned in December 2022 due to corrosion, and the new bridge is set to replace it after several years of development. Construction began in February 2020, and the project faced delays due to the pandemic, with completion expected by June 30, 2024.