India is witnessing a remarkable engineering feat with the construction of the Pamban railway bridge, the country’s first vertical-lift bridge connecting the mainland with Rameswaram Island. However, alongside its mechanical peculiarity and the rough sea it traverses, a sharp curve in the bridge has emerged as an additional challenge for the Railways.
The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), tasked with constructing this 2.08-km-long bridge, faces a daunting task in moving a lift span, measuring 72.5 meters in length, 16 meters in width, and weighing a staggering 550 tonnes, from the Rameshwaram end to 450 meters into the sea to affix it to the bridge.
Since commencing on March 10, the movement of this lift span has progressed 80 meters towards the centre of the bridge. However, the 2.65-degree curved alignment of the bridge presents a significant obstacle, slowing down the process considerably. A senior RVNL official noted that the curved shape was essential due to various alignment changes.
Despite the challenges posed by the curve, RVNL remains steadfast in its endeavour to complete the movement of the lift span to its final fixing point by the end of May. Once the curved portion is crossed, officials anticipate an expedited movement. Precision and caution are paramount due to the span’s size and weight, with the RVNL setting a deadline of June 30 to make the bridge operational.
Once the lift span is fixed, the remaining work is expected to proceed smoothly, according to RVNL officials. The lift span, designed by Spanish firm TYPSA, is capable of automatic elevation up to 17 meters to allow ships to pass. This process, scheduled to take five minutes, will be coordinated to minimize disruption to train services.
Manufactured at Sattirakkudi Railway Station, the lift span was assembled at the coast due to logistical constraints. The suspension of train services between Mandapam and Rameswaram Island since December 23, 2022, following the non-operational status of the existing rail bridge built in 1913, underscores the urgency of completing the new bridge.
The new bridge, parallel to the old one, was initiated in February 2020 by RVNL, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foundation stone laying ceremony in November 2019. Originally slated for completion by December 2021, the project faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upon completion, the 2.08-km-long bridge will enable Indian Railways to operate trains at higher speeds, enhancing connectivity between the mainland and Rameswaram Island. Prior to the construction of a road bridge in 1988, train services were the sole link between Mandapam and Rameswaram island, situated in the Gulf of Mannar.
The Southern Railway confirms that the substructure of the bridge has been constructed for double lines, with provisions for double lines in the navigational span as well. This ambitious project signifies a significant milestone in India’s infrastructure development, promising improved connectivity and economic opportunities for the region.
