On April 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu, India’s first vertical-lift sea bridge, marking a major milestone in the country’s infrastructure and engineering capabilities. Spanning 2.07 km across the Palk Strait, the bridge enhances connectivity between Rameswaram Island and mainland India, replacing the original 1914 structure.
The bridge was built by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) and offers improved vertical clearance for maritime traffic, as demonstrated by the successful passage of an Indian Coast Guard boat and a train during the event. The project was sanctioned in 2019, is three metres taller than the original, and designed for higher speed, load capacity, and durability.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi joined the inauguration. Vaishnaw also marked the BJP’s foundation day by hoisting the party flag. The New Pamban Bridge symbolizes India’s leap in infrastructure, standing alongside global engineering icons like the Golden Gate and Tower Bridge.
