CHENNAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the new Pamban Rail Bridge - India's first vertical lift sea bridge and flagged off a train from the road bridge witnessing the operation of the bridge
The PM also flagged off a Coast Guard ship which passed under the bridge.
The new Pamban Bridge will replace the old 1914-built bridge, which was closed in 2022 due to corrosion problems.
While the new Pamban Bridge is India's first vertical lift sea bridge, it shares similarities with other globally recognized bridges known for their technological advancements and unique designs.
The ministry said these include the Golden Gate Bridge in the United States, Tower Bridge in London, and the Oresund Bridge in Denmark and Sweden.
Train No. 16103 Tambaram-Rameswaram Express will depart Tambaram at 6:10 pm and reach Rameswaram at 5:40 am the next day. In return, Train No. 16104 Rameswaram-Tambaram Express will depart Rameswaram at 4:00 pm and arrive at Tambaram at 3:45 am the next day
Over 4,500 police personnel have been deployed to ensure a smooth conduct of the unveiling ceremony
The PM will remotely operate the vertical lift mechanism of the bridge and flag-off the inaugural special of Rameswaram-Tambaram Express and a Coast Guard ship
Engaged in a political and administrative face-off with the BJP-led Union government ahead of an election year, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has chosen to skip Sunday’s inauguration of the Pamban Bridge by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Stalin headed for the Western Ghats a day prior to Modi’s visit to inaugurate finished projects in the Nilgiris.
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Thangam Thennarasu, BJP state president Annamalai, Tamilisai Soundararajan and others welcomed the gathering.
Railway Board Executive Director Dilip Kumar says, "Today is the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri and Ram Navami. It is a day of new hopes for the nation. PM Modi is going to dedicate a new engineering marvel to the country. This new gift from the Indian Railways and the PM is going to boost the country's engineering strength...This new bridge (Pamban Railway Bridge) includes many new features..."
Prime Minister Modi heads to the event venue wearing a dhoti. He is set off by road to the venue where the event is being held
PM flags off the new Rameswaram-Tambaram train service; train chugs along new Pamban bridge
PM Modi inaugurates the Pamban sea bridge, providing rail link between Rameswaram island and the mainland and flagged off the new Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) train service
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Ramanathaswamy temple
Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds roadshow in Rameswaram
PM Narendra Modi is being felicitated as he arrives to address a public gathering after inaugurating the Pamban bridge in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw are also present.