PM Modi to Inaugurate India’s First Vertical Lift Pamban Rail Bridge in TN on April 6

Rameswaram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Pamban Rail Bridge, India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, in Tamil Nadu on April 6, coinciding with Ram Navami. The bridge, connecting Rameswaram to the mainland, is designed to facilitate both rail and maritime traffic.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Modi will flag off a train and a ship from the road bridge and witness the bridge’s lifting mechanism in action. Following the inauguration, he will offer prayers at the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram.

Key Features of the Pamban Rail Bridge

• Length: 2.08 km
• Spans: 99, with a 72.5-metre vertical lift span that rises up to 17 metres
• Construction Cost: Over ₹550 crore
• Material: Stainless steel reinforcement, high-grade protective paint, and fully welded joints for durability
• Special Coating: Polysiloxane coating to resist corrosion in the marine environment
• Designed for Dual Tracks: To accommodate future rail demands

The bridge is of cultural significance as, according to the Ramayana, the construction of Ram Setu began from Dhanushkodi near Rameswaram.

PM to Launch ₹8,300 Crore Infrastructure Projects

Later, at around 1:30 PM, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone and dedicate road and rail projects worth over ₹8,300 crore in Tamil Nadu. These include:

• NH-40: Four-laning of the 28 km Walajapet-Ranipet section
• NH-332: Dedication of the 29 km Viluppuram-Puducherry section
• NH-32: Dedication of the 57 km Poondiyankuppam-Sattanathapuram section
• NH-36: Dedication of the 48 km Cholapuram-Thanjavur section

These projects aim to improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and boost local industries, including agriculture, leather, and small-scale enterprises, the PMO stated.