PM Modi Tamil Nadu Visit: PM Modi in Rameswaram, inaugurates country’s first vertical lift sea bridge ‘Pamban’

New Pamban Bridge – Photo: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first vertical lift sea bridge in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu on the occasion of Ram Navami. During this, he also flagged off a train and a ship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first vertical lift sea bridge Pamban in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. Along with this, he also started many other development projects in the state. Before this program, Indian Railways had released a beautiful video of this new railway bridge. The Railway Ministry had said that this railway bridge built over the sea connects the past and the future. It will be presented to the public on the day of Ram Navami and during this time security has been increased in Rameswaram due to PM Modi’s presence there.

At around 1 pm, the Prime Minister dedicated the new Pamban railway bridge to the public. He also flagged off a new train service between Rameswaram to Tambaram (Chennai). He also flagged off a coast guard ship. PM Modi will visit and worship at the famous Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram. He will lay the foundation stone and inaugurated railway and road projects worth more than Rs 8,300 crore.

Pamban Bridge – Photo: ANI

Farmers, leather and small industries of the state will benefit from the projects
These projects include the foundation stone laying for the four-lane work of 28 km long Walajapet-Ranipet section of NH-40 and the four-lane work of 29 km long Viluppuram-Puducherry section of NH-332, 57 km long Poondiyankuppam-Sattanathapuram section of NH-32 and 48 km long Cholapuram-Thanjavur section of NH-36. These roads will better connect pilgrimage sites, tourist places, cities, medical colleges and ports. These will help local farmers reach the market and promote leather and small industries.
It is as strong as Ram Setu built by Ram
This Pamban Bridge also has cultural significance. According to Ramayana, Lord Rama’s army started the construction of Ram Setu from Dhanushkodi near Rameswaram. The new Pamban railway bridge connects Rameswaram Island to the mainland of India and is a major achievement of Indian engineering on the global stage. Its cost is more than Rs 550 crore. This bridge is 2.08 km long. It has 99 spans (distance between pillars) and its lifting part is 72.5 meters long, which can rise up to a height of 17 meters. Due to this, big ships can pass easily and train service can also continue without hindrance. Stainless steel, special protective paint and welded joints have been used to strengthen the bridge. This has increased its strength and life. Keeping the future in mind, two railway tracks have been arranged in it. A special polysiloxane coating has been done to protect it from corrosion caused by sea air.

Pamban Bridge. – Photo: Prime Look

It will replace the bridge built by British engineers 111 years ago
The first Pamban Bridge was built by British engineers in 1914. It was a cantilever (a long piece of metal or wood that comes out of the wall to support the end of the bridge) design bridge. It had a Sherzer rolling lift part. It opened in the sea and gave way to ships. For more than a century, this bridge served as a lifeline for pilgrims, tourists and traders. But in view of the damage to the marine environment and increasing traffic, the government approved the construction of a new technologically strong Pamban Bridge in February 2019.

This bridge of the country has joined the list of the world’s prestigious bridges. The new Pamban Bridge has been constructed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). It is a Navratna company under the Ministry of Railways. During the construction of the bridge, many challenges like environmental restrictions, strong sea waves, strong winds and bad weather came up. This area is sensitive to cyclones and earthquakes, so the engineers prepared a strong design very thoughtfully. Now this new bridge is being counted in the category of other famous bridges of the world like America’s Golden Gate Bridge, London’s Tower Bridge and Oresund Bridge connecting Denmark-Sweden. All these bridges are known for their technical design and engineering. Now the new Pamban Bridge has also joined the list of these prestigious bridges. It has the ability to successfully deal with India’s marine and seismic conditions with modern technology. Agency
What is a vertical lift bridge?

A vertical lift bridge is a bridge that can be raised above the water surface if needed. By raising the vertical bridge, large water ships will be able to pass through that place easily.

What is the specialty of the new Pamban Bridge?

This is a 72.2 meter wide sea route. Two trucks will be able to come and go together in one lane of the bridge. This bridge can be lifted up to 17 meters.

This bridge is 3 meters higher than the old bridge.

Steelness steel has been used in this bridge to make it durable. Along with this, it has also been painted safely.

The opening of this bridge will also help the railways to make its traffic smooth. Heavy and fast trains will also be able to cross the bridge easily.

The bridge is one of the most important bridges in the history of railways: Ashwini Vaishnav

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said on Saturday that the Pamban Bridge is one of the most important bridges in the history of railways. This first vertical lift bridge built on the sea is one of the greatest architectural wonders for Tamil history, culture, ancient Tamil civilization and Tamil language. PM Modi’s progressive thinking is behind its unique design. This bridge in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district will replace the old structure which has been damaged by rust. It will prove to be an important milestone in the country’s railway infrastructure.