Lagatar24 Desk
Rameswaram: More than a century after the original Pamban Bridge connected Rameswaram Island to the Indian mainland, India is set to unveil a cutting-edge replacement — the country’s first vertical-lift sea bridge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the New Pamban Bridge on Sunday in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district.
Key Features of the New Pamban Bridge:
- Length & Location: The bridge stretches 2.07 kilometers across the Palk Strait, linking Mandapam on the mainland to Pamban (Rameswaram) Island.
- Vertical-Lift Span: It features a 72.5-metre navigational span that can be lifted vertically up to 17 metres, allowing safe passage for marine vessels.
- Rail Connectivity: Though currently operating as a single-track bridge, the substructure is built to support two railway tracks and can accommodate speeds of up to 80 kmph.
- Construction & Cost: Built by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, the project cost is approximately Rs 550 crore.
- Durability: Designed for a lifespan of 100 years, the bridge incorporates engineering features aimed at reducing frequent maintenance. These include stainless steel reinforcements, fully welded joints, and advanced coatings like polysiloxane for marine protection.
- Elevation & Clearance: Constructed three metres higher than the old bridge, it offers better clearance for sea traffic.
- Technological Innovation: The lift span girder was assembled using the “Auto Launching Method based on Relationship Principle,” a technique developed by Suntech Construction and validated by IIT Madras.
- Assembly & Quality Checks: Components were pre-painted and inspected offsite before being transported to Pamban, where they were assembled using EOT cranes. Engineers employed PAUT (Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing) to ensure high-precision welding.
A Modern Marvel: The New Pamban Bridge is already being compared to globally renowned structures such as the Golden Gate Bridge (USA), Tower Bridge (UK), and the Oresund Bridge (Denmark-Sweden) for its innovative design and technological sophistication.
Legacy of the Original Pamban Bridge: The original bridge, completed in 1914 by British engineers, was a manually operated rolling lift bridge with a 61-metre Scherzer’s span that tilted up to 81 degrees for ship movement. It has since been closed to rail traffic due to safety concerns.
