TN takes up ₹250-cr Pamban-Rameswaram Bridge venture

Construction work on the state-of-the-art new Pamban bridge to replace the century-old iconic British structure between Pamban and Rameswaram began recently at an investment of ₹250 crore. The project for which PM had laid the foundation stone, was awarded Rail Vikas Nigam and the company again sub-contracted the project to Ahmedabad-based Ranjith Buildcon and is slated for commissioning by July 2021, RVNL project consultant S Anbalagan, said, adding that as compared to the old bridge which has 146 spans for every 40 feet, the newer one will have 100 spans at a distance of about 60 feet from the other. Pillars of the existing railway bride have open foundation for a depth of 1.5 metres, compared to the deep foundation with piles for the new bridge at a depth of 25 metres each from the sea bed to ensure better stability. While the old bridge has two leaves that open on both sides, the new one will have a single girder that will lift vertically for 22 metres at par with the height of the road bridge between Pamban and Rameswaram to facilitate movement of bigger vessels.