PM Modi to Inaugurate Engineering Marvel, Pamban Bridge in Rameswaram On Sunday

Chennai(The Uttam Hindu):  Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the newly-constructed Pamban railway bridge in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, on Sunday, April 6, coinciding with the celebration of Ram Navami, marking the birth of Lord Rama. The inauguration adds a spiritual dimension to the event, as Prime Minister Modi is also expected to visit the renowned Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram. Sources from Southern Railway have confirmed that the ceremony will be attended by several dignitaries, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Governor R.N. Ravi, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, MPs, MLAs from Tamil Nadu, and senior BJP leaders and party workers.

R.N. Singh, General Manager of Southern Railway, confirmed that thorough inspections of the bridge and Rameswaram railway station had been carried out to prepare for the event. Following the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi will address a public gathering before heading back to Delhi from Madurai airport. In preparation for the high-profile event, authorities have conducted three full-scale rehearsals. On March 22, a team led by Additional General Manager Kaushal Kishore conducted an extensive assessment of critical locations in Rameswaram and Pamban to evaluate logistics and security arrangements. The team, which included senior Railway officials, law enforcement agencies, and intelligence personnel, reviewed the Rameswaram temple premises, helipad, Mandapam railway station, and the Pamban road bridge, ensuring all arrangements were in place for a smooth inauguration.

The 2.1-kilometer-long Pamban railway bridge is a significant engineering achievement. Initially commissioned in February 2019, its construction was completed in November 2024. A standout feature of the bridge is its vertical lift span, which weighs 660 metric tons and can rise vertically to allow ships to pass, a feature developed indigenously. The bridge is expected to enhance connectivity to the sacred island of Rameswaram, improving travel efficiency for pilgrims and tourists alike and symbolizing India's expanding infrastructure capabilities.