Pamban 2.0: India’s First Vertical Lift Rail Bridge Set to Revive Rameswaram’s Railway Connection.

India's first vertical lift rail bridge, the new Pamban Bridge, is set to be commissioned within two weeks, pending an inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety for the Southern Circle, A M Chowdhary, on November 13 and 14. The innovative bridge, inspired by similar structures in Germany and Spain, promises to restore train connectivity to Rameswaram, marking a significant milestone in Indian railway infrastructure.

Experts from Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the railway’s construction wing, conducted study visits to Spain’s Valencia and Barcelona, as well as Germany’s Hamburg port, to study advanced moving rail bridges. The Pamban Bridge draws its design from Hamburg's vertical lift bridge, although RVNL officials emphasize that it is not a direct replica. Spanish companies played a key role in designing the bridge, built to withstand one of the most corrosive environments in the world.

The new bridge replaces the historic Pamban bridge, a double-bascule vertical lift structure commissioned in 1914. Known for its Scherzer rolling lift span, the old bridge significantly reduced the sea distance between India and Sri Lanka and allowed ferries to pass under when fully raised. However, the bridge's condition deteriorated over the years, with corrosion limiting train speeds to just 10 km/h and halting traffic during strong winds.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation for the new bridge in November 2019, and while the replacement of the span was initially planned, the decision was made to construct an entirely new bridge after the old one was deemed unsafe. Traffic was permanently halted on the old bridge in December 2022 after sensors triggered a red alert.

The new Pamban Bridge will allow trains to travel at speeds up to 80 km/h, significantly improving travel time. With a clearance of 17 meters, the bridge will also accommodate larger vessels, facilitating smoother maritime traffic. This vertical lift bridge is expected to be a major boost to regional connectivity and maritime trade.

ET