New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday opened India's first vertical sea-lift bridge, the Pamban bridge, which has been built at a cost of over Rs 550 crore. A senior official said the new bridge can withstand cyclones of greater intensity than the one which severely damaged the old bridge in 1964. With similarities tto he Golden Gate Bridge in the United States, Tower Bridge in London and the Oresund Bridge in Denmark-Sweden, Pamban Bridge stands tall as an example of combined cutting-edge technology with the challenges posed by India's coastal and seismic conditions.
They added that the Palk Strait's violent waters, strong winds, and unpredictable weather patterns posed big challenges in the construction process. Furthermore, the design has been done keeping in mind careful planning and robust design, presenting India's engineering marvel.
Railway officials said the construction of the new Pamban Bridge faced numerous challenges, ranging from environmental obstacles to logistical complexities. MP Singh, director (operations) at Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), said this bridge can "withstand a wind speed of 230 kmph as well as considerable seismic loading".
The nenewamban bridge will have a positive impact on the lives of lakhs of people," PM Modi said during an event here.

Why Is Pamban Bridge Important?

The Pamban bridge will boost the connectivity to Rameswaram, a spiritual destination visited by devotees in large number from across the country. It spans across 2.08 kilometers, comprises 99 spans and a 72.5-metre-long vertical lift span. It can be raised up to 17 meters, that will allow the smooth passage of large ships while ensuring seamless train operations, a report in PTI said.
It features stainless steel reinforcement, high-grade paint, and fully welded joints, enhancing durability while reducing maintenance requirements. The foundation of the bridge is supported by 333 piles and 101 piers/pile caps. This design will allow dual rail tracks and possible future expansion.
To prevent the bridge from corrosion, polysiloxane paint has been used ensuring longevity in the harsh marine environment. Pamban Bridge depicts a perfect blend of tradition and technology.
PM Modi also spoke of the bridge's benefits and said that big ships will be able to sail, trains will be able to travel faster on new Pamban bridge.
The bridge is safe to operate trains at 80 kmph speed for 100 years, the director of the public sector enterprise executing the work said.
Trains on the bridge can run with a speed of 80 kmph. An RVNL official said the bridge is safe to operate trains at 160 kmph, "but due to a curvature in its alignment towards the Rameshwaram end, the speed has been safely fixed at 80 kmph".
Earlier in January, a document of Southern Railway said that the "robust surface protection system against corrosion can extend the bridge's lifespan to 38 years without maintenance and up to 58 years with minimal maintenance".