New Pamban Bridge to be inaugurated on April 6

Key Points

• 1The new Pamban Bridge, India’s first Vertical Lift Railway Sea Bridge, will be inaugurated on Ram Navami (April 6).
• 2The new bridge replaces the century-old original Pamban Bridge.
• 3The new bridge is designed to withstand harsh marine conditions and has an expected lifespan of up to 58 years.
• 4The old bridge was constructed in 1911 and opened to traffic in 1914.
• 5The old bridge was damaged by the 1964 tsunami, with 126 spans washed away.
• 6The new bridge is 2.08 kilometers long and stands three meters higher than the old bridge.
• 7The old bridge played an important role in trade and pilgrimage for over a century.