DH NEWS SERVICE
RAMANATHAPURAM, Jan 31
The Southern Railway is nearing completion of the reconstruction of the Pamban Railway Bridge, a link connecting the Indian mainland to Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu.
Sanctioned in February 2019, the project is set to be completed by November 2024.
Originally commissioned in 1914 for Metre Gauge traffic and later adapted for Broad Gauge in 2007, the old Pamban Bridge served for decades. The new bridge will have advanced technology, featuring an electro-mechanical navigational span system integrated with train control mechanisms, replacing the outdated manual lifting system.
The bridge, 2.10km long and costing Rs531 crore, rests on a pile foundation with 333 piles extending 38 meters below the seabed. Its design includes 99 spans of 18.30 meters and a central span of 72.50 meters, with a vertical lift mechanism capable of rising 17 meters in just 5 minutes and 30 seconds, enabling smooth passage for ships. Trains will operate at speeds of up to 75 km/h.
Built to accommodate future double-line electrification, the structure uses 5772 MT of stainless steel reinforcement and 4500 MT of structural steel, ensuring strength and durability.
A specialised anti-corrosion coating, including zinc metallising and polysiloxane paint, protects it from the marine environment.
Once operational, the Pamban Railway Bridge will boost connectivity to Rameswaram, which will also help in economic growth and tourism.
