Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 6 (HBTV): On the occasion of Ram Navami, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate India's first vertical lift sea bridge, the New Pamban Bridge, in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, on Sunday.

The 2.07-kilometre-long New Pamban Bridge, spanning the Palk Strait, has been described by the Ministry of Railways as a symbol of India's engineering excellence and forward-looking infrastructure development.

The bridge features a vertical lift section spanning 72.5 metres with two tracks. Its approach includes 88 spans of 18.3-metre steel plate girders fabricated for a single railway line.

The story of the bridge dates back to 1914, when British engineers constructed the original Pamban Bridge using a cantilever structure with a Scherzer Rolling Lift span to connect Rameswaram Island to mainland India. The new bridge, sanctioned in 2019, is three metres higher than its predecessor, improving sea connectivity in the region.

According to the ministry, the bridge has long served as a vital lifeline for pilgrims, tourists, and trade. However, the harsh marine environment and growing transportation demands necessitated a modern alternative. The Central government sanctioned the construction of a technologically advanced, future-ready replacement in 2019.

The New Pamban Bridge was constructed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways. RVNL ensured the new bridge met higher standards for speed, load, and maritime compatibility. It represents a major improvement in connectivity while showcasing innovation in safety, durability, and infrastructure.

The ministry stated that the bridge incorporates stainless steel reinforcement, high-grade protective paint, fully welded joints, and a special polysiloxane coating to protect it from corrosion, ensuring durability in the marine environment.

By the early 21st century, the original bridge could no longer meet modern transportation demands. Increased traffic volumes and the need for safer, faster connectivity prompted the government to envision a new, resilient structure equipped to handle future challenges.

The construction process presented various challenges, including turbulent waters of the Palk Strait, strong winds, unpredictable weather, and the region's vulnerability to cyclones and seismic activity. These factors required robust planning and innovative engineering.

The lift span girder was launched using the 'Auto Launching Method based on Relationship Principle,' designed by Suntech Construction Engineering Consultants and verified by IIT Madras. For transportation, assembly, and final welding, segments were trucked to Pamban. A temporary platform with two Electric Overhead Traveling (EOT) cranes facilitated assembly. Welding was carried out in specialized huts, and joints were inspected using Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT). Corrosion protection was achieved through metalizing and painting.

While the New Pamban Bridge is India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, the ministry compared it to globally renowned structures such as the Golden Gate Bridge in the United States, Tower Bridge in London, and the Oresund Bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden.

(ANI)