India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, located at Pamban off the coast of Rameswaram, is facing significant safety concerns following a critical inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). The Rs 280 crore project, executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), has been flagged for several construction flaws and safety issues.
The CRS inspection report, dated November 26, 2024, highlighted various deficiencies in the bridge’s design and construction. Key concerns include misalignment of the tracks, inadequate corrosion protection, and faults in the signaling system. The most alarming issue is the bridge’s vulnerability to corrosion due to its exposure to the highly corrosive marine environment. Despite incorporating advanced materials and techniques like stainless steel reinforcements and special painting schemes, some components have started to deteriorate. Chowdhary noted that, while the bridge uses modern technology, it falls short when compared to the century-old cantilever bridge it replaces, leading to a speed restriction of 50 kmph for safety.
The 2.05-km-long Pamban vertical lift sea bridge was designed to accommodate large ships by lifting its central 72.5-meter span. This feature is expected to improve connectivity between Rameswaram Island and the mainland, easing transportation for passengers and freight. The new bridge replaces the iconic cantilever bridge, which was decommissioned in December 2022 after cracks were discovered. Despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and technical challenges, the bridge is anticipated to alleviate congestion and increase train speeds once fully operational. In response to the CRS findings, the Railway Ministry has set up a five-member committee to review the bridge’s safety and design issues. The committee includes experts from the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and IITs, who will collaborate to address the concerns. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured the public that an in-depth safety analysis will be completed within six weeks. The bridge was designed with input from international consultants and was proof-checked by IIT-Chennai and IIT-Bombay. Despite these assurances, the ministry has emphasized the importance of addressing the identified issues. Additionally, the Railway Ministry has recommended retraining for bridge operators and technicians to minimize human error and improve safety once the bridge is in operation. This comprehensive approach aims to resolve the deficiencies and ensure the bridge serves as a safe and efficient transportation link.
