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Pamban Bridge
Context
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Pamban Bridge, India’s first vertical sea-lift railway bridge, built at a cost of over Rs 550 crore. It is seen as a major engineering achievement and will boost rail connectivity to Rameswaram, a major pilgrimage town.
About the Pamban Bridge
- The bridge connects Mandapam (mainland Tamil Nadu) to Rameswaram Island across the Palk Strait, in southern Tamil Nadu.
- Purpose: It enables train movement to Rameswaram and allows ships to pass underneath via a lift mechanism.
- Length: 2.08 km long.
- Design Features:
- 99 fixed spans and one 72.5-metre vertical lift span (can be raised up to 17 metres).
- The lift span allows large ships to pass without disturbing rail traffic.
- Speed & Safety:
- Trains can run safely at 80 kmph (designed for up to 160 kmph).
- Lifespan: It is designed for 100 years of operation.
- It is built to withstand wind speeds up to 230 kmph and seismic activity.
- Durability Enhancements:
- Stainless steel reinforcement and fully welded joints.
- Polysiloxane paint used to resist corrosion from marine conditions.
- 333 piles and 101 piers support the foundation.
- Robust surface protection system offers a lifespan of up to 58 years with minimal maintenance.
- The Pamban Bridge is being compared to famous ones like the Golden Gate Bridge in the USA, Tower Bridge in the UK, and the Oresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden because of its modern design and technology.
- The old Pamban Bridge was built in 1914 by British engineers. It used a manually operated Scherzer's span (a type of rolling lift bridge). The pass over was shut to rail traffic due to safety concerns.
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