From 2025 to 2125: Rameshwaram’s new Pamban Bridge safe for train ops for 100 years, RVNL shares key details
Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu’s Rameshwaram, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 April, has been declared safe to run trains at 80 kmph for the next 100 years. This assurance comes from MP Singh, director (operations) at Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the public sector company behind the project.
Singh, who is also part of a five-member Expert Committee formed last November to look into safety concerns, said that the panel carefully examined every part of this iconic structure.
Declared Safe After Detailed Review
“The committee has concluded that the bridge is structurally safe to operate trains at 80 kmph for 100 years,” Singh said.
Earlier in January, a document shared by Southern Railway stated that the bridge’s «robust surface protection system against corrosion can extend the bridge's lifespan to 38 years without maintenance and up to 58 years with minimal maintenance».
RVNL was responsible for planning, designing, building and commissioning this new bridge.
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Why the Speed Is Limited to 80 kmph
Though the bridge is strong enough to allow trains to run at 160 kmph, the alignment towards the Rameshwaram side has a curve. Because of this, the speed has been limited to 80 kmph for safety.
Singh added that the bridge was thoroughly inspected after the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) raised concerns about its design and fatigue levels.
Panel Formed to Address Safety Concerns
In November 2024, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw created a high-level committee. It included principal executive directors from the Railway Board (Bridges), Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), Southern Railway’s chief bridge engineer, RVNL’s director, and an external expert from
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