News Brief
'New Pamban Bridge': India’s First Vertical Lift Railway Sea Bridge — All About It
New Pamban Bridge
India has unveiled its first vertical lift sea railway bridge today (6 April), with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the New Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu.
The date aligns with Ram Navami, adding symbolic significance to what is being hailed as a landmark in India's infrastructure story.
The bridge, connecting Rameshwaram with mainland, carries a deep cultural significance. According to the Ramayana, the construction of Ram Setu was initiated from Dhanushkodi near Rameswaram.
A Century-Old Legacy Gets a Modern Successor
The New Pamban Bridge spans 2.07 kilometres over the Palk Strait, connecting Rameswaram Island to the Indian mainland.
It replaces the original Pamban Bridge, built in 1914 by British engineers, which featured a Scherzer Rolling Lift span and played a vital role in ferrying pilgrims and goods across the narrow channel.
However, over time, the aging bridge struggled to keep up with modern traffic volumes and deteriorated due to the corrosive marine environment.
From Sanction to Reality: India’s First Vertical Lift Railway Sea Bridge
In 2019, the Government of India approved the construction of a next-generation replacement.
The result is a state-of-the-art vertical lift bridge developed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways.
The bridge combines historical continuity with modern engineering, aiming to boost regional connectivity, accommodate future rail needs, and ensure maritime safety.
Engineering Marvel With a 72.5-Metre Lift Span
At the core of its innovation is a 72.5-metre lift span that can be raised by up to 17 metres, allowing ships to pass safely underneath.
This vertical lift mechanism makes the bridge the first of its kind in India and aligns it with international standards for sea-rail integration.
The structure is built three metres higher than the older bridge, ensuring better clearance for vessels even when the span is not lifted.
Built to Last Over a Century
The substructure has been designed to support two railway tracks, although initially it will carry only one.
Materials used in construction include stainless steel reinforcements, high-grade protective paints, fully welded joints, and a special polysiloxane coating to withstand marine corrosion.
Together, these features are expected to give the bridge a lifespan of over 100 years, with minimal maintenance requirements.
Overcoming Marine Forces With Indigenous Innovation
Constructing the New Pamban Bridge came with significant challenges.
Engineers adopted a method called the ‘Auto Launching Method based on Relationship Principle’, devised by Suntech Construction Engineering Consultants and validated by IIT Madras.
This method allowed pier-to-pier launching of the lift span despite site constraints.
Precision Assembly and Seamless Launching
Segments were fabricated off-site, trucked to Pamban, and assembled on a temporary platform using Electric Overhead Traveling Cranes.
Welding was done in specialised huts, and joints were inspected using Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing.
After full assembly, the 448-metre lift span was gradually launched in 90 controlled movements using custom launching girders, guide rollers, hydraulic jacks, and counterweights to ensure precise alignment over a curved trajectory.
1,400 Tons of Fabrication Completed With Zero Injuries
Construction involved over 1,400 tons of fabrication, 99 girder launches, and extensive work on track laying and electrification—much of it carried out directly at sea.
Despite the hazardous conditions, not a single injury was reported during the entire project.
Complex Tower Assembly and Lift Mechanism Integration
Erection of the lift towers was equally intricate. Tower segments were shipped by barge and lifted into place by marine cranes.
A machine room measuring over 21 metres in length and weighing around 100 tons was installed at the top to house the lifting mechanism.
Balanced by 315-ton counterweights on each side, this system ensures seamless and safe vertical movement of the lift span.
Joining the League of Global Landmark Bridges
Beyond engineering excellence, the bridge represents a broader vision—of India positioning itself among nations capable of executing complex infrastructure in harsh geographies.
While different in design, the New Pamban Bridge now shares symbolic space with globally celebrated bridges like the Golden Gate in the US, Tower Bridge in London, and the Øresund Bridge linking Denmark and Sweden.
Tradition Meets Technology
The completion of the bridge is not just a feat of civil engineering. It is a reaffirmation of India's ability to adapt tradition to modern needs while embracing technological progress. As trains pass over and ships glide under, the New Pamban Bridge will stand as a living monument to resilience, innovation, and the seamless interplay between land and sea.
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