Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates India's First Vertical-Lift Sea Bridge

India has officially inaugurated its first Vertical-Lift Sea Bridge, the New Pamban Bridge, in Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled this remarkable structure on April 6, 2025, coinciding with the festival of Ram Navami. Spanning 2.07 kilometers across the Palk Strait, this bridge is a significant achievement in India's engineering and infrastructure development.

During the inauguration, PM Modi also launched a Coast Guard ship that successfully navigated beneath the bridge, alongside the introduction of the new Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) train service.

Located in the Ramanathapuram district, the New Pamban Bridge, India's First Vertical-Lift Sea Bridge, connects Rameswaram Island to the mainland at Mandapam. Constructed at an investment exceeding Rs 700 crore, this project was executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways. Notably, the bridge features an impressive 72.5-meter navigational span that can be elevated to 17 meters, facilitating safe passage for larger vessels beneath it.

The engineers designed the bridge to accommodate two railway tracks, though it currently operates with just one. They built it to allow trains to travel at speeds of up to 80 km/h. It can handle increased rail traffic and heavier cargo loads.

According to a government statement, this new bridge is projected to have a lifespan of 100 years. It has been constructed using cutting-edge engineering techniques that reduce the frequency of necessary maintenance. The materials used in the bridge include stainless steel reinforcements and fully welded joints. High-grade protective coatings and a polysiloxane finish are also applied to safeguard against corrosion. These features are especially effective in challenging marine conditions.