On Sunday, April 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off an exciting new chapter for First vertical lift bridge in India by opening the Pamban sea bridge in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. This bridge connects Rameswaram Island to the mainland and has a shiny new train service from Rameswaram to Tambaram (Chennai). During the big event, he also waved off a Coast Guard ship that sailed right under the bridge, showing off its incredible features.
The Pamban sea bridge isn’t just any bridge—it’s India’s very first vertical sea-lift bridge! Built for over ₹550 crore, it’s a game-changer for Rameswaram, a special place where people from all over India come to pray. This bridge makes it way easier for them to visit.
Long and Strong: It stretches 2.08 kilometers with 99 sections and a standout 72.5-meter part that can lift up.
Ship-Friendly: The lift part rises 17 meters high, letting big ships pass underneath without stopping trains.
Tough Stuff: Made with stainless steel and coated with tough paint, it’s built to last against salty sea air.
Ready for More: With 333 foundation pillars and 101 supports, it’s set up for two train tracks and future growth.
This bridge blends smart engineering with a nod to Rameswaram’s spiritual roots. Its special polysiloxane paint fights off rust, and its welded joints make it super sturdy—perfect for the wild sea weather.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, State Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, and other VIPs joined in. Fresh from a trip to Sri Lanka, PM Modi got a warm Tamil Nadu welcome from big names like Governor R N Ravi, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, Union Minister L Murugan, and BJP leaders K Annamalai, H Raja, and Vanathi Srinivasan.
