NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, APR 6
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the new Pamban rail bridge, India’s first vertical lift sea bridge on Sunday. Built at a cost Rs 700 crore, the bridge provides essential rail connectivity between Rameswaram island and the mainland.
- Built at a cost of over Rs 700 crore, the Pamban bridge’s vertical lift can rise up to a height of 17 metres, facilitating smooth movement of ships
- Modi flags off new Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) train service and a Coast Guard ship, which passed under the bridge
- PM Modi’s Ram Setu darshan coincides with Surya Tilak ceremony in Ayodhya
Prime Minister @narendramodi inaugurates the new Pamban Rail Bridge in Rameswaram, India’s first vertical lift sea bridge
The Bridge, linking Rameswaram to the mainland, stands as a remarkable feat of Indian engineering on the global stage
— PIB India (@PIB_India) April 6, 2025
Modi, who arrived from Sri Lanka on Sunday, was received by Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, Union Minister of State L. Murugan, Bharatiya Janata Party Tamil Nadu unit chief K. Annamalai and senior BJP leaders.
- Built at a cost of over Rs 700 crore, the Pamban bridge’s vertical lift can rise up to a height of 17 metres, facilitating smooth movement of ships
- Modi flags off new Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) train service and a Coast Guard ship, which passed under the bridge
- PM Modi’s Ram Setu darshan coincides with Surya Tilak ceremony in Ayodhya
Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Pamban Bridge & flagged off the Rameswaram–#Tambaram (Chennai) new train service, marking a historic milestone in rail connectivity.#NewPambanBridge #pambanexpress #SouthernRailway #Rameswaram pic.twitter.com/zfAl4zN7gR
— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) April 6, 2025
A landmark development project, Modi flagged off new Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) train service and a Coast Guard ship, which passed under the bridge. The bridge will improve connectivity to spiritual destination flocked by devotees throughout the year from across the country.
According to the Railway Ministry, the bridge was built at a cost of over Rs 700 crore. The bridge is 2.08-kilometre in length, features 99 spans and a 72.5-metre vertical lift span that rises up to a height of 17 metres, facilitating smooth movement of ships while ensuring seamless train operations, the railway ministry said in a statement.
The bridge is built using stainless steel reinforcement, high-grade protective paint, and fully welded joints. The bridge is designed for dual rail tracks to accommodate future demands and it has been provided with polysiloxane coating to protect it from corrosion.
This 660-metric-ton lift span is a marvel of indigenous Indian technology, designed with provisions to support dual rail tracks for future expansion. A high-level review meeting was conducted involving senior railway officials, law enforcement agencies, and intelligence units to ensure seamless arrangements for the high-profile inauguration.
Highlighting the bridge’s cultural and technological significance, Indian Railways stated on April 5, “Bridging the past, lifting the new, Pamban stands tall with a breathtaking view. This Ram Navami, witness the unveiling of India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge.”
The new bridge is expected to significantly boost travel convenience for thousands of pilgrims and tourists visiting Rameswaram, a sacred destination deeply tied to the Ramayana tradition.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi and state ministers were present during the inauguration.
PM Modi’s Ram Setu darshan coincides with Surya Tilak ceremony in Ayodhya
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described Lord Ram as a “uniting force” and sought his blessings as he had ‘darshan’ of the sacred Ram Setu from the skies on his return journey from Sri Lanka.
PM Modi termed it as a “divine coincidence” as the moment coincided with the ‘Surya Tilak’ ceremony being held at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on the occasion of Ram Navami.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “On the way back from Sri Lanka a short while ago, was blessed to have a Darshan of the Ram Setu. And, as a divine coincidence, it happened at the same time as the Surya Tilak was taking place in Ayodhya. Blessed to have the Darshan of both.”
“Prabhu Shri Ram is a uniting force for all of us. May His blessings always remain upon us,” he added.
As the holy city of Ayodhya marked Ram Navami, a spiritual moment unfolded in the Ram Temple when a ray of sunlight fell directly on the forehead of the Ram Lalla idol, a phenomenon revered as ‘Surya Tilak’.
