07/04/2025
രാമേശ്വരം യാത്ര ഇനി എളുപ്പം. പുതിയ പാമ്പൻ പാലം തുറന്നു.
രാജ്യത്തെ ആദ്യ വെർട്ടിക്കൽ ലിഫ്റ്റ് പാലമാണ് പാമ്പൻ പാലം. ഈ പാമ്പൻ പാലം തുറന്നതോടുകൂടി രാമേശ്വരത്തേക്കുള്ള യാത്ര ഇനി എളുപ്പമാകും. ഈ പാമ്പൻ പാലത്തിൻറെ ആദ്യ യാത്രയിൽ ഞങ്ങൾ ഗ്രീൻ മാങ്കോ കസിൻസ് പോകാൻ സാധിച്ചു.
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The New Pamban Bridge, India's 1st Vertical Lift Railway Sea Bridge in Tamil Nadu is indian Railway's modern engineering marvel as its stands as a beacon of progress in Indian infrastructure, blending heritage with innovation. Designed to connect Rameswaram Island to the mainland, this 2.08-kilometre-long bridge with a vertical lift span designed to accommodate passing ships is a significant technological step towards modernising transportation in the region. Spanning the azure waters of the Palk Strait and located in Tamil Nadu, the bridge connects mainland India with the sacred town of Rameswaram, a pilgrimage hub revered by millions. For over a century, the Old Pamban Bridge, India's first sea bridge, stood as a symbol of innovation and resilience.
However, time and environmental challenges necessitated replacement that could meet the demands of modern transportation while preserving the historical and cultural importance of this vital link.
The New Pamban Bridge is a state-of-the-art vertical lift sea bridge, the first of its kind in India. Its construction marks a significant leap forward in design, technology, and sustainability.
Historical Significance of the Old Pamban Bridge.
British engineers embarked on an ambitious project to connect the mainland to Rameswaram Island culminating in the opening of the Scherzer Span Pamban Bridge in 1914 . This bridge was a cantilever structure with a Scherzer Rolling Lift span, allowing ships to pass underneath. For decades, it served as a lifeline for pilgrims, tourists, and local businesses. However, the harsh marine environment took a toll, leading to frequent repairs and operational challenges like corrosion, speed restrictions and closures due to maintenance, during the last few years.
The Need & Vision for the New Pamban Bridge.
When the bridge could no longer meet the demands of modern transportation, like increased volume of traffic, coupled with the need for faster and safer connectivity prompted the government to envision a new structure that would be technologically advanced, durable, and future-ready.
The construction of a state-of-the-art sea bridge was conceived to accommodate growing traffic volumes, ensure durability and facilitate smoother maritime navigation. In 2019, the Indian Government sanctioned the reconstruction under the Supplementary Demands for Grants (2018-19). The New Pamban Bridge was conceived to address the limitations of its predecessor while paving the way for enhanced regional connectivity and economic growth. Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's Government played a pivotal role in prioritising the bridge as a key infrastructure project.
The new Pamban Bridge is a 2,078 meters (2.08 Km) long vertical lift sea bridge that is built parallel to the existing old Pamban Bridge at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. This structure is India's first vertical lift sea bridge. The new bridge has 100 spans across the sea, 99 of which are of 18.3 meters length and one of which (the main span) is 72.5 meters.
Substructure has been constructed for two Tracks to accommodate future doubling and superstructure is being provided for Single line.
Indian Railways worked in coordination with Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd
(RVL) which is the executing agency for the construction of New
Pamban Bridge.
