Rail sea bridge to Rameswaram sets March ’23 deadline
By Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi, December 3: In a few months, the Indian Railways would complete the showpiece vertical lift rail sea bridge with Rameswaram island to ease the ease of travelers to India’s of the top religious destinations. The bridge may be completed by the time India welcomes the world leaders for the G20 Summit later this year, while preparations are underway to market Brand India for the international tourism circuit.
The Ministry of Railways on Saturday said that 84 per cent of the works on India’s first vertical lift Railway sea bridge connecting the mainland of India with Rameswaram Island have been completed. It was also stated that the works on all the 333 piles have been completed, which would give an early completion to the prestigious project.
“Pile cap and sub-structure at all the 101 points have been completed. Fabrication of all 99 approach spans has been completed, while 76 girders have been launched. Now, track laying work is in the progress,” said the Ministry of Railways.
It also stated that the fabrication of vertical lift span girder is also nearing completion. “Assembling platform for vertical lift span on Rameswaram end of bridge is getting ready. The re-construction work on the new 2.05 km Pamban railway bridge which will connect Rameswaram island to the mainland in Tamil Nadu has gathered pace,” added the Ministry.
This state-of-the-art bridge will be the country’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge and is expected to be completed by March 2023. The sea bridge is being executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) at a cost of Rs 535 crores. The bridge will allow the Indian Railways to operate trains at a higher speed. It will also increase traffic between the mainland of India and Rameswaram island.
The existing Pamban Rail Bridge, which connects Rameswaram to mainland India, is 105 years old. The original bridge was built in 1914 to connect Mandapam to the Rameswaram island situated in the Gulf of Mannar. It was the only link connecting the two locations until a new road bridge was built parallel to the sea link in 1988.
About The Author
