India's engineering marvel in Rameswaram; PM Modi to inagurate new Pamban bridge today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate India's first vertical lift rail bridge in Rameswaram to the nation on Sunday. The ceremony will be held at the Tamil Nadu Tourism Grounds at 12.45 pm. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the new Pamban Bridge by raising it vertically using a remote control. The new bridge connects the pilgrimage center of Rameswaram Island with the mainland,

PM Modi will also inaugurate the new train service from Rameswaram to Tambaram after visiting the Ramanathaswamy temple on Sunday, coinciding with Ram Navami celebrations. The new bridge is already winning accolades for being an engineering marvel.

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw, L. Murugan, Thangam Thenarasu, RS Raja Kannappan, MPs K Navas Kani and R. Dharmar, among others, will participate. Although construction was completed by October, the inauguration was delayed due to multiple safety inspections.

The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the Walajapet-Ranipet (NH40) National Highway. He will also inaugurate the completed Villupuram- Puthucherry (NH332) National Highway, Poondiyankuppam- Sattanathapuram (NH32) National Highway, and Cholapuram- Thanjavur (NH36) National Highway.

Once the new bridge gets completed, trains, including the Amrita Express will be extended to Rameswaram. The announcement of new train services will also be made on Sunday. The bridge will also be a blessing for pilgrims visiting Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi.

► Trains can travel at speeds of up to 75 km/h on the bridge. It was just 10 km/h on the old bridge.

►The bridge can be raised and lowered rapidly using an electromechanical vertical lift. It takes 3 minutes to raise and 2 minutes to lower.

►If larger ships arrive, the new Pamban Bridge can be raised to 22 meters above sea level. The old bridge was only 1.5 meters high.

►The old bridge will remain a monument and a remnant of history.

The Last train service through Old Bridge was on December 23, 2022.