Innovation Meets Heritage in the Palk Strait

The first vertical-lift railway sea bridge in India combines the past and the present to preserve vital trade routes for generations to come. The new Pamban Bridge on Tamil Nadu’s southern coast spans the Palk Strait, connecting the mainland and Rameswaram Island. The new bridge, built in 2024 and opened for traffic in April 2025, replaced the century-old bridge that was built in 1914. The railway, which now sits 27-m away from the original bridge’s location, has always been a vital link for pilgrims, travelers and goods. Rameswaram, deeply entwined with the Ramayana and the legend of Ram Setu, is a sacred pilgrimage destination that utilizes the bridge as a path. Over the original bridge’s lifetime of braving harsh marine weather and salty, corrosive air, it became clear that India would have to utilize modern technological advancements to make a more future-proof route.

Using marine-grade stainless steel and corrosion-resistant coatings, the new Pamdan Bridge spans 2.07 km and features a 72.5-m vertical lift span that works like a traditional elevator. When a tall ship must pass through the strait, a segment of the bridge is lifted toward the sky to aid passage before lowering back into place for train traffic to resume. The bridge’s seamless design creates smooth coexistence between maritime and rail movement. With more than 330 reinforced concrete piles supporting the foundation, the superstructure features a single track with the capability for double tracks to be added in the future. The innovative bridge contains a three-cup anemometer that monitors wind speed at all times, automatically halting rail traffic if winds exceed 58 kph. On-site staff also enjoy drinking water from an Atmospheric Water Generator that transforms air humidity into drinking water, adding to the structure’s sustainability. While the new bridge enhances accessibility for pilgrims and businesses alike, it can also bring an economic boost for local communities by serving as an efficient route with tourism potential.