“Minister Highlights New Pamban Bridge as a ‘Remarkable Engineering Achievement'”

Minister Hails New Pamban Bridge as "Modern Engineering Marvel" Amid Safety Concerns

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday praised the new Pamban bridge in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, calling it a “modern engineering marvel.” The bridge, India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, will replace the existing 105-year-old Pamban Rail Bridge, which had been in operation since 1914. The new structure is set to enhance connectivity, boost tourism, and support high-speed train services.

In a series of posts on social media platform X, Vaishnaw highlighted key features of the new bridge, emphasizing its innovative design. “This project is a significant upgrade, designed for speed, safety, and innovation,” he wrote, sharing stunning visuals of the bridge, including a nighttime image showcasing its impressive architecture. The new Pamban bridge, which spans 2 kilometers, is fully automated, supporting double tracks, electrification, and a 22-meter clearance for high-speed trains. It was constructed at a cost of ₹535 crore by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).

The Railway Minister also compared the new bridge with the old Pamban Rail Bridge, which was decommissioned in December 2022 due to corrosion. The old bridge, which had a manual Scherzer lift span and a limited air clearance of 19 meters, had been in use for over a century. In contrast, the new bridge features a state-of-the-art vertical lift span and a navigational span of 73 meters to accommodate marine traffic.

Vaishnaw further shared a clip of a trial run on the new bridge, signaling that the construction is complete. The lift span has been successfully tested multiple times, and the inauguration of the bridge is expected soon. He also hinted that the new bridge would offer passengers breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mannar during their train journeys.

The new Pamban bridge is expected to significantly improve rail connectivity to Rameswaram, a popular pilgrimage destination. Additionally, the redevelopment of the Rameswaram Railway Station under the Amrit Bharat Stations scheme will further enhance the region’s infrastructure and stimulate economic growth.

However, the project has faced some safety concerns. The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) raised issues regarding the planning and execution of the new bridge. In response, the Railway Ministry has set up a five-member committee to review the concerns and submit a report within the next month and a half.

Despite these concerns, the Railway Minister’s announcement signals that the completion of the new Pamban bridge will be a transformative development for the region, enhancing both transport and tourism prospects.

Sources By Agencies

About Digital Scoop India Team

Check Also

Defence Ministry Signs ₹13,500 Crore Agreement with HAL for 12 Su-30 Fighter Jets

In a significant move to bolster India’s defence capabilities and drive self-reliance in the sector, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a ₹13,500-crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 12 Sukhoi-30 (Su-30) fighter aircraft. The deal, finalized on Thursday, includes not only the aircraft but also associated equipment for the Indian Air Force (IAF), further advancing the country's efforts to reduce dependence on foreign military imports.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *