The newly constructed Pamban vertical lift sea bridge demonstrated its precision and strength during a recent Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) engine run. The speed trial showcased impressive speeds of 121 kmph on the Mandapam-Rameswaram section and 80 kmph on the bridge itself, marking a significant milestone in the project.
Freight Train Speed Trial Completed Successfully
A freight train consisting of three coaches attached to an engine was used in the trial, which took place on India’s first vertical lift sea bridge. The bridge connects Mandapam and Pamban railway stations, providing a vital link across the Palk Strait. Senior railway officials, including LN Rao, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, and Sandeep Bhaskar, Divisional Engineer, North, were present during the successful engine run.
Key Features of the Vertical Lift Bridge
The 2.08-km-long bridge, constructed at a cost of ₹550 crore, features a 72.5-metre-long, 16-metre-wide, 550-tonne centre lift span. This vertical lift span has been specially designed to allow ships to pass through, enhancing both rail and maritime connectivity.
Commissioning Scheduled for November
According to RN Singh, General Manager of Southern Railway, the bridge is expected to be commissioned in November. The project has undergone several trial runs, including testing of the centre lift span, to ensure operational readiness.
Statutory Inspection and Final Trials
AM Chowdhary, Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Southern Circle, Bengaluru, is set to conduct a statutory inspection of the bridge on November 13. This will include a thorough review of the new broad-gauge track and its alignment. Final speed trials and demonstrations of the lift span’s locking and centring mechanisms are planned for November 14, marking the final steps toward the bridge’s official launch.
