Pamban Bridge Reconstruction: India’s First Vertical Lift Railway Sea Bridge Nears Completion. SEE PICS

According to a Ministry of Railways release, sub-structure work has been fully completed, which includes 333 piles and 101 pile caps. Fabrication of all 99 approach spans is also complete, of which 76 girders have been launched | Photo: PIB

Fabrication of vertical lift span girder is also nearing completion. The assembling platform for vertical lift span on Rameswaram end of bridge is getting ready, and track laying work is in progress, the ministry said | Photo: PIB

The state-of-the-art sea bridge is being executed by the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited at a cost of Rs 535 crores. It is expected to be completed by March 2023. | Photo: PTI

The ministry said the bridge will allow the Indian Railways to operate trains at a higher speed, and also increase traffic between the mainland of India and Rameswaram island | Photo: PIB

The existing Pamban Rail Bridge on the same route is 105 years old. Built in 1914, the original bridge connected Mandapam to the Rameswaram island situated in the Gulf of Mannar. A new road bridge was built parallel to the sea link in 1988 | Photo: PTI