Chennai, April 6 ,2025
The vertical lift span of the newly inaugurated Pamban Rail Bridge got stuck for about thirty minutes on Sunday, raising concerns among senior railway officials.
The bridge, hailed as an engineering marvel, was inaugurated earlier in the day by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to railway officials, the 654-tonne vertical lift is designed to be raised to a height of 17 metres in 5 minutes and 30 seconds, with the same time required to lower it.
However, during its operation on Sunday, the Pamban-end of the lift span got stuck, while the opposite end near Mandapam continued to lower unevenly.
This resulted in the span being left in a slanted position.
After approximately 30 minutes of troubleshooting, the issue was resolved and the lift span was brought back down.
A senior railway official later dismissed the incident as a minor teething problem, common in the early stages of operation.
Despite the temporary snag, seven trains—including the inaugural Rameswaram-Tambaram service—ran over the new bridge without further issues.
The new Pamban Rail Bridge replaces the old British-era structure and is India’s first vertical lift sea bridge.
Unlike its predecessor, which required manual operation by 16 workers, the new span operates through an advanced electromechanical system controlled by computer software.
Constructed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited at a cost of ₹531 crore, the 2.07-kilometre bridge stretches across the Palk Strait, connecting Rameswaram Island to Ramanathapuram on the Tamil Nadu mainland.
The 72.5-metre vertical lift span allows smooth movement of ships beneath, significantly improving both rail connectivity and maritime navigation.
In his inaugural address, Prime Minister Modi described the bridge as an “engineering wonder” that combines tradition with cutting-edge technology.
“The new Pamban rail bridge will enhance ease of business and ease of travel. It will positively impact the lives of lakhs of people,” he said.
The project fulfils a long-standing demand of the region and is expected to boost trade and tourism across Tamil Nadu.
