PM Modi inaugurates India’s first vertical lift rail sea bridge at Rameswaram. Know key facts, history, and exam relevance. Daily GK update by Atharva Examwise.
Pamban Bridge Inauguration: A Milestone in Indian Rail Infrastructure | Atharva Examwise Current News
On April 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly constructed Pamban Bridge at Rameswaram, replacing the 110-year-old iconic structure. This development is a landmark event in current affairs March 2025, especially for aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, Railway, and Banking exams.
The new bridge, India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, not only enhances transportation in southern India but also showcases India’s growing engineering capabilities.
What is Pamban Bridge and Why is it Special?
Located across the Palk Strait in the Bay of Bengal, the Pamban Bridge connects Rameswaram Island (also known as Pamban Island) with Tamil Nadu's mainland.
🛤️ New bridge length: 2.08 km
⚙️ Vertical lift span: 72.5 metres, rises up to 17 metres
🔧 Technology: Automated vertical lift, stainless steel reinforcement, high-grade anti-corrosion paint
🛠️ Total cost: ₹700 crore
🚆 Track type: Dual rail tracks for future scalability
This bridge will boost rail connectivity, tourism, and trade in the region.
Historical Timeline of Pamban Bridge
📜 Early History
In 1480, a massive cyclone separated Rameswaram from the mainland, forming the Pamban Island.
During the Nayak dynasty, a causeway was built to connect the two landmasses.
🚄 The Old Bridge
First proposed in 1876 as part of the Adam’s Bridge route to link India and Sri Lanka.
Plan shelved due to high cost; alternative railway route via Rameswaram finalized in 1906.
Construction started: 1911
Opened for trains: 1914
Type: Double-leaf bascule bridge (Scherzer rolling lift design)
Height above sea level: 12.5 metres
Suffered severe damage in the 1964 cyclone disaster when a train was washed away.
New Pamban Bridge: Engineering Excellence
The new bridge is designed to withstand harsh marine conditions and ensure long-term durability:
🌊 Corrosion resistance: Special coating and high-grade protective paint
🔩 Structure: 99 spans with fully welded joints
📈 Scalability: Dual tracks to support increased traffic
🛰️ Automation: Vertical lift opens automatically for ships to pass
This makes it one of the most advanced sea bridges in India, symbolizing Make in India success in infrastructure.
Key Highlights for Quick Revision
📅 Inauguration date: April 6, 2025
🏗️ Bridge type: Vertical lift rail sea bridge (first in India)
📍 Location: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
🚆 Replaces: 1914 sea bridge
💰 Cost: ₹700 crore
🧭 Length: 2.08 km, 99 spans
📰 Tags: current affairs March 2025, daily GK update, Atharva Examwise current news, competitive exam news
Why this matters for exams
The new Pamban Bridge is a perfect case study for questions on:
Modern Indian infrastructure
Indian Railways development
India-Sri Lanka maritime link history
Disaster-resilient engineering
Make in India success stories
Candidates preparing for UPSC (GS Paper 1 & 2), SSC, Banking, and Railway exams should focus on its technical specifications, historical relevance, and strategic importance.
📚 Stay ahead in your preparation with daily current affairs updates at www.atharvaexamwise.com – your trusted platform for competitive exam news and smart revision tools.
