Pamban railway bridge completes 104 years

Pamban railway bridge was inaugurated on February 24, 1914, connecting the Pamban island and the mainland. The bridge, spanning over two kilometres, was constructed with a bascule facility that would be lifted to make way for ships to pass-by the bridge when there is no train movement. 

The bridge was not even damaged in the 1964 cyclone. Even now, several people would gather to witness the opening of bascule bridge and ships passing through it, which generally happens between 12 noon and 2 pm. It is a major tourist attraction in the district.

Only recently the Southern Railways had decided to change the manually operated bascule bridge with an automatic one. The officials say that while celebrating the 105th year of Pamban rail bridge, a new automatic bascule bridge would be ready.