New Pamban Bridge

New Pamban Bridge
The vertical lift section of the new Pamban bridge with the bascule section of the old bridge in the foreground
Coordinates9°16′57.25″N 79°12′5.91″E / 9.2825694°N 79.2016417°E / 9.2825694; 79.2016417
CarriesRail
LocaleRameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India
OwnerIndian Railways
Characteristics
Total length2,070 metres (6,790 ft)
No. of spans100
Rail characteristics
No. of tracks2 (Completed:1)
ElectrifiedPlanned
History
Construction startFebruary 2020
Construction endSeptember 2024
Construction cost5 billion (US$59 million)
Opened6 April 2025
Location

The New Pamban Bridge (pronounced: /pɑːmbən/ romanised: pāmban) is a vertical lift railway sea bridge that connects the town of Mandapam in mainland India with Rameswaram on Pamban Island. The new bridge is constructed parallel to the old Pamban Bridge opened in 1914 and was planned to replace the same. The bridge stretches across a length of 2.07 km (1.29 mi) and is the first vertical lift sea bridge in India. It consists of 100 spans including a 72 m (236 ft) vertical lifting central section. The construction of the bridge was completed in 2024 and the bridge was opened for traffic in April 2025.