PM Modi Inaugurates India’s First Vertical Lift Sea Bridge in Rameswaram
On Ram Navami, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first vertical lift sea bridge—the new Pamban Rail Bridge—in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, built at a cost of ₹550 crore.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw accompanied the PM at the event. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin was notably absent. The inauguration followed PM Modi’s three-day visit to Sri Lanka. Calling it a "divine coincidence," he shared on X that he was at Ram Setu during the Surya Tilak ceremony in Ayodhya.
Rooted in Ramayana mythology, the bridge holds deep spiritual and cultural significance. It connects Rameswaram Island to mainland India, replacing the historic 1914 bridge built by the British.
Key features of the new 2.08-km-long bridge:
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99 spans, including a 72.5-metre vertical lift span that rises to 17 metres, allowing ship passage without halting trains.
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Built using stainless steel reinforcements, fully welded joints, and polysiloxane coating to withstand the corrosive marine climate.
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Future-ready for dual-track operations.
Executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the project overcame major environmental and logistical hurdles, including rough sea conditions in the Palk Strait.
This new bridge is set to boost tourism, trade, and pilgrimage in southern India, blending mythology, engineering, and modern infrastructure.
