Pamban Rail Bridge

Source: TH

Context: Prime Minister of India to inaugurate India’s first vertical-lift railway bridge on April 6, replacing the 111-year-old Pamban Bridge.

• The new ₹531-crore bridge enhances maritime safetyand rail connectivity to Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.

About Old Pamban Bridge:

• What was it?

• A historic railway bridge linking Rameswaram Island to Mandapam (mainland Tamil Nadu).

• Key Details:

• Built in: 1914 (completed in 2.5 years). Built by: British India under Madras Railway. Connecting Towns: Connects Mandapam (mainland) with Rameswaram (Pamban Island), Tamil Nadu.

• Built in: 1914 (completed in 2.5 years).

• Built by: British India under Madras Railway.

• Connecting Towns: Connects Mandapam (mainland) with Rameswaram (Pamban Island), Tamil Nadu.

• Unique Features:

• India’s first and only sea bridge until Bandra-Worli Sea Link (2010). Bascule (Scherzer lift) mechanism: Manual lever-operated double-leaf section for ship passage. A double-leaf bascule bridge is a type of movable bridge that uses a counterweight mechanism to lift each side (called a leaf) to allow ships or boats to pass through underneath. Length: 2.065 km, with 143 piers and 12.5 m height above sea level. Lifespan: Operated for 108 years before corrosion led to its closure (2022).

• India’s first and only sea bridge until Bandra-Worli Sea Link (2010).

• Bascule (Scherzer lift) mechanism: Manual lever-operated double-leaf section for ship passage. A double-leaf bascule bridge is a type of movable bridge that uses a counterweight mechanism to lift each side (called a leaf) to allow ships or boats to pass through underneath.

• A double-leaf bascule bridge is a type of movable bridge that uses a counterweight mechanism to lift each side (called a leaf) to allow ships or boats to pass through underneath.

• Length: 2.065 km, with 143 piers and 12.5 m height above sea level.

• Lifespan: Operated for 108 years before corrosion led to its closure (2022).

About New Pamban Bridge:

• Built By: Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) at ₹531 crore.

• Key Features:

• Vertical-lift span (72 m): First in India, automated for smoother ship movement. Stronger construction: Corrosion-resistant materials for longer durability. Modern Technology: Fully automatic lift mechanism (vs. manual in old bridge). Energy Efficient: Solar-ready design for future sustainability.

• Vertical-lift span (72 m): First in India, automated for smoother ship movement.

• Stronger construction: Corrosion-resistant materials for longer durability.

• Modern Technology: Fully automatic lift mechanism (vs. manual in old bridge).

• Energy Efficient: Solar-ready design for future sustainability.

Key Difference between Old and New Pamban Bridge:

Feature | Old Pamban Bridge | New Pamban Bridge

Inauguration Year | 1914 | 2025

Type | Double-leaf bascule | Vertical lift span

Span Control | Manual operation | Automated lift system

Length | 2.065 km | 2.2 km

Ship Clearance | Limited, slow | Wider and quicker clearance

Lifespan | Over 100 years | Next-generation, corrosion-resistant