The Indian Railways has made significant progress in the construction of the new bridge linking Rameswaram to mainland India.
The new 2.05-kilometer-long bridge will connect Mandapam town in mainland India to Pamban island and Rameswaram. It will replace the existing century-old iconic structure built during British rule.
The Indian Railways, which is developing the bridge, has said that the construction is progressing at a rapid pace, and 65 of the 99 girders have been launched, as well as the substructure.
The bridge will be 63 metres long and will lift while remaining parallel to the deck, allowing ships to pass through.
The bridge will allow trains to travel faster, carry more weight, and increase traffic volume between Pamban and Rameswaram.
The structure will cost about Rs 250 crore.
The bridge is 12.5 meters above sea level. Two ships will cross this bridge simultaneously, thanks to its planned automobile construction.
The vertical-lift bridge will be three metres higher than the existing bridge, with a navigational air clearance of 22 metres above sea level. It will be operated using an electro-mechanical control system interlocked with train control systems.
The new bridge will also feature several other innovative technologies, such as composite sleepers, stainless steel reinforcing, and long-lasting paintwork.
It will have 101 piers and will be three metres taller than the current one, allowing vessels to pass with improved navigational air clearance.
India’s first sea bridge, the current Pamban Bridge, debuted in 1914. It took three years to build.
In March 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the new bridge, and the construction began in November 2019. The bridge is expected to be operational in March of next year. The Indian Railways have not yet announced a specific completion date for the structure’s construction.