Chennai: India’s much-anticipated Pamban railway bridge, set to become the nation’s first vertical-lift bridge connecting the mainland with Rameswaram Island, is encountering a pivotal phase as it navigates a distinctive curve along with technical intricacies and rough sea conditions.
The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), tasked with constructing this 2.08-km-long engineering marvel, is grappling with the intricate task of moving a massive lift span, measuring 72.5 meters in length, 16 meters in width, and weighing a whopping 550 tonnes, from the Rameshwaram end to its designated position 450 meters into the sea for installation onto the bridge.
An RVNL senior official explained the challenges, stating that the movement of the lift span began on March 10, with a progress of 80 meters achieved to date. “The significant challenge lies in the bridge’s 2.65-degree curved alignment. A straight alignment would have expedited the process,” the official remarked, underscoring the necessity of the curved structure due to alignment variations.
The completion of moving the lift span to its final position is expected by the end of May, requiring an additional 370 meters of transportation. “Once we navigate past the curved segment, progress will accelerate. Every precaution is being taken during its movement in the sea, given its size and weight demand precise handling,” the official emphasized.
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When is the bridge expected to be operational?
Train services between Mandapam on the mainland and Rameswaram Island were suspended on December 23, 2022, after the existing rail bridge, constructed in 1913, was deemed non-operational for safety reasons.
“In the operational phase, trains traversed the Pamban bridge, reaching Rameshwaram within about 15 minutes,” noted a Southern Railway official.
Currently, trains terminate at Mandapam, necessitating road travel to Rameswaram.
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RVNL has set June 30 as the deadline for making the bridge operational. “Once the lift span is secured, the remaining tasks are manageable,” stated an RVNL official, highlighting that the lift span can automatically ascend up to 17 meters to allow ships to pass. However, to minimize disruption to train services, the ascent and descent, each taking five minutes, will be scheduled accordingly.
The lift span, designed by the Spanish firm TYPSA, was manufactured at Sattirakkudi Railway Station, located 20 kilometers from the coastline. “Assembly was conducted onsite due to logistical constraints in transporting such a massive structure,” the RVNL official explained.
