PM Modi to inaugurate New Pamban Rail Bridge on Apr 6
by Northlines · NorthlinesNew Delhi, March 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Tamil Nadu on April 6, coinciding with the Ram Navami festival, to inaugurate the much-awaited Pamban Rail Bridge off the Rameswaram coast. The new bridge, India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, has been built at a cost of ₹531 crore and is designed to replace the 110-year-old iconic Cantilever bridge, which was decommissioned in December 2022 due to corrosion.
The new Pamban Rail Bridge is an engineering marvel, combining European and Indian design codes, and has undergone rigorous safety checks by IIT Madras. It features a fully automated vertical lift span with a 22-meter clearance, supports double tracks and electrification, and is built to accommodate high-speed trains, offering enhanced speed and safety.
The old bridge, built in 1914, had been in use for 105 years but was limited to low-speed trains and had only a 19-meter air clearance. The inauguration will mark the resumption of rail traffic, reconnecting Rameswaram Island to the mainland.
The event holds political significance as the BJP seeks to tap into religious sentiments in Tamil Nadu, with Rameswaram being a prominent temple town. BJP’s efforts to strengthen its ties with the AIADMK in the lead-up to the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections will also play a role, with AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palanisami expected to meet PM Modi during the visit.