Why in the News?
The newly constructed Pamban Bridge was inaugurated by PM Modi to replace a 110-year-old structure that connected Rameswaram to the Indian mainland.
About the Pamban Bridge
- The Pamban Bridge, completed in 1914, was India’s first sea bridge, connecting Rameswaram on Pamban Island to the mainland.
- It featured a double-leaf bascule span, allowing ships to pass through when the bridge lifted.
- Standing 12.5 meters above sea level and spanning 145 piers, the bridge faced challenges, including cyclones and workforce issues.
- The old bridge had become unsafe due to severe corrosion and structural weaknesses, highlighted by vibrations detected in 2022.
- The new bridge features a vertical lift span that can raise in just 5 minutes, with a 22-meter clearance to allow larger vessels to pass, compared to the old bridge’s 1.5 meters.
- Trains can now travel at speeds up to 75 km/h, a significant improvement from the previous 10 km/h limit.
