It is also said that the ghost town of Dhanushkodi, situated in south-eastern Pamban, is where the Rama Setu originates and can be seen from space. Falling on the eastern coast of the country, the southernmost state of Tamil Nadu has a unique and first-of-its-kind bridge in India, which till date, not just inspires but also fills every Indian with a sense of pride. Also, check out “Puente Nuevo: The Bridge That Spans Across a Gaping Canyon to Join the City of Ronda“. The engineering marvel has become a tourist attraction of late, which initially was only used by the railways to ply pilgrims to and fro from the holy Hindu town of Rameswaram. It is known as Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge. The mainland end of the bridge is located at 9º16´56.70´N 79º11´20.1212”E to 9.2824167ºN 79.188922556ºE. Pamban Bridge was officially named the Annai Indira Road Bridge. The Pamban rail bridge is the India’s first cantilever bridge, connecting Rameswaram with the mainland India. Completed in a span of fourteen years, the Pamban Bridge once fell into the eye of a storm literally during the 1964 Rameswaram Cyclone. ([email protected] / Wikimedia Commons). The central span of 75-m length is the one that helps ships cross the bridge, ” informs the railway official. Each case weighs approximately 415 tons. Pamban Bridge Rameswaram is an engineering master piece built in the year 1914 (24 February). Stills from a Pamban Bridge design video courtesy Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) ‘This bridge will have 100 spans of 25 metres each. Pamban bridge: Imagine a railway bridge over the sea which 'opens up' to allow ferry and boat movement! Pamban Island has a few hillocks and elevated physical features in the vicinity of Rameswaram of which Mt. Built as a part of South Indian Railway project, this bridge is an engineering marvel and was completed in 1911. Gandamadana is the tallest. The approximately 2.3-kilometre-long Pamban Bridge is the first ever Indian sea bridge, connecting the port town of Rameswaram on Pamban Island to Mandapam on the Indian mainland in Tamil Nadu. Initially functioning as a meter-gauge railway line, the bridge only got a major facelift in 2007, when a broad-gauge line was introduced, allowing even goods trains to ply between the two towns. Pamban Bridge connects the mainland to Rameswaram island. Pamban Bridge A bridge connecting Rameshwaram railway station to main land and can fold itself to let bigger ships pass is a true beauty outlined with mesmerizing view of sea. Thiyagarajan P r Pamban bridge: Old bridge with history - See 569 traveler reviews, 554 candid photos, and great deals for Rameswaram, India, at Tripadvisor. The Pamban bridge is called by the name “Pamban palam”. The bridge is about 1500 ft. or 460 meters in height. Construction of this bridge was started by British Railways in 1885 and completed in 1912, it took 29 years to complete the project. Designed as per the specifications patented by German-origin American engineer William Donald Scherzer, the movable drawbridge or double-leaf bascule bridge can be rolled up vertically to allow movement of ships underneath. The bridge refers to both the road bridge and the cantilever railway bridge, though primarily it means the latter. Cyclone Burevi: What is the history of the Pamban Bridge? We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Repair and maintenance works had briefly halted railway services to Rameswaram from Tamil Nadu. The efforts for built a bridge across Pamban channel (Palk strait) was proposed by 1870’s by british government however the construction of Pamban bridge was commenced on 1911 and commissioned on 1914. Built as a part of South Indian Railway project, this bridge is an engineering marvel and was completed in 1911. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It is the India’s first sea bridge constructed in Tamil Nadu. Location of the Bridge. Pamban Bridge Rameshwaram is the first sea bridge in India, which extends for two kilometers. It is a two-line (one each way) asphalted road. And, what makes this bridge even more wonderful is the fact that it … The Pamban Branch Railway was a metre gauge() single line completed in 1914 by the South Indian Railway Company(SIR). The breathtaking view of this bridge in Rameshwaram will leave you amazed, and you will be forced to think about how a city like Rameshwaram can create such an advanced technological monument in such a short period. The bridge was built as a part of the South Indian Railway Project. India is a culturally rich country and South India, in particular, is very different from the rest of the nation. The bridge connects Rameswaram on Pamban Island to mainland India. As recently as 2016, the Indian Ministry of Railways has sanctioned approximately 3.5 million US dollars to replace the heavy manually-operated Scherzer spans by a mechanically-operating one. In addition, we can say that it is a flat and straight highway bordered by … The specialty of this bridge is that it has been celebrated as a cantilever bridge on Palk Strait. Story first published: Thursday, December 3, 2020, 12:21 [IST] The Five Faced Hanuman Temple, Rameshwaram. Pune – Bhimashankar – Shirdi – Shani Shingnapur – Aurangabad – Grishneshwar – Nashik - Trimbakeshwar – Mumbai – Porbandar – Dwarka – Somnath – Mumbai – Indore – Ujjain – Mahakaleshwar - Omkareshwar – Indore – Hyderabad – Srisailam – Hyderabad – Madurai – Rameshwaram – Delhi – Haridwar – Guptkashi – Kedarnath – Guptkashi – Haridwar – Varanasi – Deogarh – Baidyanath – Basuki Nath - Patna. Pamban Bridge situated in Tamil Nadu is built over the sea and it is very beautiful to see. The movable drawbridge on Pamban Bridge. The 6,776 feet tall Pamban Bridge was started on 24 February 1914. Pamban bridge: Old bridge with history - See 569 traveler reviews, 554 candid photos, and great deals for Rameswaram, India, at Tripadvisor. History and technical speciality In the year 1870 the British suggested … Prior to the construction of this line, traffic between India and Ceylon was carried via Tuticorin and Colombo, a … Pamban is the place where Lord Rama has an arrow to the ground so as to get the water to quench Goddess Sita’s thirst. The 6,776 feet tall Pamban Bridge was started on 24 February 1914. However, things can go wrong. If you find the above article inaccurate or biased, please let us know at [email protected]. Although the bridge suffered major damage and several of the parts were destroyed or lost in the sea, the rolling life center span was still very much intact. Some information about the Pamban Bridge Road description: The Pamban Bridge or Indira Gandhi Road Bridge is a 2.5 kilometers (1.55 miles) long road situated in India. The Pamban Railway Bridge on the Palk straight links Pamban Island to the main… Many of the ships and boats use the service to date. Kindly give us your requirement and our travel expert will help you to plan your tour. (ShakthiSritharan / Wikimedia Commons). The bridge is solid and strong construction, which can withstand any turbulence, as the cyclone storm in 1964. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. As per the Ramayana, it is nothing but Rama Setu, which the future king of Ayodhya had built. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Though the bridge was constructed at a time when technology was not advanced, it stands out as a fine example of construction. At the entrance of the Pamban bridge you can see a picture of a weeping man holding some human body parts close to his chest. This corrosion-causing climate, along with the windy weather, poses a great threat to the structure every now and then, making its maintenance a little too difficult. The bridge is about 105 years old. Standing on the Palk Strait between the countries of India and Sri Lanka, The Pamban Bridge is located in one of the most corrosive environments in the world. Pamban Bridge Rameshwaram is the first sea bridge in India, which extends for two kilometers. The viaduct is 6776 feet (2,065 m) long and consists of 145 spans. It is the second longest railway bridge(2km) in India after Vembanad Bridge(4km) in Kochi,Kerala. The Pamban Bridge a massive structure over the Indian Ocean and the first sea as well as cantilever bridge constructed in India. India's first & the longest sea bridge till 2010, was opened in 1914. One can reach Rameshwaram by crossing the Pamban Bridge from the train. Pamban railway bridge was the first Indian bridge which is built across the sea. Dhanushkodi History Quick History of Pamban Road Bridge After the cyclone of 1964, A plan for a Road bridge parallel to the Existed Railway bridge was proposed by the Tamilnadu Government, but it was cancelled by Indian Railway Ministry. Pamban Bridge is a railway bridge which connects the Mandapam town in mainland India with Pamban Island and Rameswaram. It is said that Rama Setu was manually constructed by Lord Rama, employing Lord Hanuman’s Vanar Sena and many other animals to get to Lanka, where Ravana had held his wife Sita captive. This is a unique bridge of its kind on the sea. Recognized by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. It was not damaged even Dhanushkodi cyclone hits. Overview of Pamban Bridge. barge belonging to the Indian Navy collided, Puente Nuevo: The Bridge That Spans Across a Gaping Canyon to Join the City of Ronda, Rakotzbrücke: ‘The Devil’s Bridge’ which Looks Straight Out of a Fairytale, Dhanushkodi: Where a Cyclone Ripped Apart an Entire South Indian Town, Rendering it Uninhabited, The Egyptian Vultures of Tamil Nadu’s Vedagiriswarar Temple, North Sentinel Island: Home to an Uncontacted, Hostile and Primitive Tribe, Sex in Space – Is It Possible? The Pamban bridge was the only link between Rameswaram and the mainland until 1988 when a road bridge, running parallel to it, was built. This 100 years old bridge contains 143 pillars, each of which is 220 feet in length and 100 tonnes in weight. It is also the location of high-velocity winds, which the historic bridge has withstood for over a century. Pamban Railway Bridge is the oldest and the longest railway bridge in India. The view of the train coming out between the waves of the sea is very exciting. India's first & the longest sea bridge till 2010 , was opened in 1914. In the past, it was closed for 85 days, causing a lot of trouble to the people. Sitting on an artificial reef, it required nearly 5,000 tonnes of cement, 2,600 tonnes of steel and 98,000 cubic feet of rocks and crushed stones to construct the bridge. Rameshwaram is a popular Hindu shrine which notices thousands of footsteps every day. Pamban bridge story is related with Lord Rama. Lined by the blue waters of the ocean and dotted by palm trees, the southern part of India has diverse climatic conditions as compared to the whole of India. The construction works of Pamban Road bridge was commenced on 17.11.1974 by the Indian Highway department. At Pamban, Lord Rama has thrown an arrow to the ground in order to get the water to sate Goddess Sita’s thirst. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The Pamban Bridge connecting Rameshwaram to the mainland of India is now quite old. There is now a parallel road bridge across the Palk Strait which is of 1988 origin. This 100 years old bridge contains 143 pillars, each of which is 220 feet in length and The Pamban Bridge was the longest until the Bandra Worli sea link was built in the year 2010. In 1988, a road bridge was constructed parallel to the rail bridge. It is believed that this was the hillock from whose summit Lord Rama observed Sri Lanka and conceived the idea of constructing a bridge between India and Sri Lanka. Pamban Bridge situated in Tamil Nadu is built over the sea and it is very beautiful to see. Pamban Bridge is a railway bridge which connects the Mandapam town in mainland India with Pamban Island and Rameswaram. Way back in the 1870s, when the colonial British wanted to open trade with Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon), they came up with the idea of a bridge for transport purposes. The Pamban Railway Bridge is the longest and oldest railway bridge in India. This iconic bridge is the first structure which travellers come across on the way from Madurai to Rameshwaram. Experts argue that Ramayana, which is the epic tale of victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, has Pamban Bridge’s mention in it. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. This 2.06 km long Pamban Bridge … Dhanushkodi is located on the trip of Pamban island which is connected to Indian mainland only by the Pamban Railway Bridge. The Pamban bridge is built on Palk strait connects rameswaram on Pamban island to India.It is India's first sea bridge and India's second longest sea bridge constructed at a length of 2.3 km.It has both railway bridge and cantilever railway bridge. This bridge on the Palk Strait connects Rameshwaram to the mainland of India. This was India’s longest sea bridge until the Bandra-worli sea link was opened in year 2010. Three more sea bridges have come up in and around Mumbai: Bandra, Vashi and Airoli. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Pamban bridge (on the right) next to the Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge (on the left). This tourist destination in Rameshwaram is an engineering marvel and you can click a lot of pictures when you are at the bridge. The Pamban Bridge Rameshwaram was designed in the year 1913 by Scherzer a German engineer. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Fact Analysis: STSTW Media strives to deliver accurate information through careful research. One can reach Rameshwaram by crossing the Pamban Bridge from the train. The powerful typhoon not only overturned a train carrying 150 passengers, killing all of them and breaking a part of the bridge too; but it also ripped apart Dhanushkodi, which till date remains in shambles and uninhabited ever since. More than a hundred years old now, the Pamban Bridge was the only way of getting to Rameswaram, until a parallel road bridge was constructed in 1988, easing transport further. You can also see the beautiful scenes of the ocean in its full grandeur from the bridge. Pamban bridge: The History unfold - See 569 traveller reviews, 554 candid photos, and great deals for Rameswaram, India, at Tripadvisor. Considered one of the scariest yet most beautiful train travels in the world, made with limited technology available back then, the historical Pamban Bridge is now vying for a UNESCO world heritage tag, which it rightly deserves so. The place that was once a thriving town in south India with infinite legends to it, has been reduced to ruins and mystic stories today. In the year 2013, a barge belonging to the Indian Navy collided with the Pamban Bridge, but thankfully, the damage it had caused was very little. The bridge consists of a two-bed bascule section with rolling type of lift spans, which can be raised for movement of ships. It is generally referred as The queen of Indian bridges . Pamban Village and Palk Strait History You can opt to travel either on-road or by train and both ways, the views are splendidly fantastic. The Pamban Bridge is a 6,776-foot railway bridge built on the Palk Strait that connects the Rameshwaram town on Pamban Island to mainland India. It rests on 145 concrete poles and is prone to storms with its sea waves. It is the second-largest sea bridge in the country with a length of 2.3 km. More than a hundred years old now, the Pamban Bridge was the only way of getting to Rameswaram, until a parallel road bridge was constructed in 1988, easing transport further. History But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This bridge connects Rameshwaram to other parts of the country. Designed as per the specifications patented by German-origin American engineer William Donald Scherzer, the movable drawbridge or double-leaf bascule bridge can be rolled up vertically to allow movement of … © Indian Visit. Both the hulls of the bridge are opened manually using a lever. This bridge repesents amazing work of engineering, is over 100 year old and still in the same condition as it was built. It is 2.065 km long and was the first sea bridge in India. Kalam inaugurates centenary celebrations of Pamban bridge ராமேஸ்வரம் - சென்னை ரயிலுக்கு 'பாம்பன் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ்' பெயர் சூட்டுக: கலாம் கோரிக்கை Six men on each side manually roll up the two spans to clear sea traffic below. It is also an indicator that one has arrived in Rameshwaram. However, the plan was only put in motion in the year 1911 and the first ever Indian part-cantilever-part-conventional bridge was opened in the year 1914. Earlier, it used to transport hundreds of pilgrims everyday to the temple in the island. In 1988, a road bridge parallel to the rail bridge was also constructed which is a part of National Highway 4. Rameshwaram trip is incomplete without glaring at the beauty of this marvel. The Pamban Bridge is situated in Tamil Nadu, India. This bascule feature was one of the firsts for any Indian bridge constructed during the British times. (Shubham Gupta / Wikimedia Commons). Pamban Bridge stretches for 2 km between mainland and island and is the only link of transport between the two. The line linked the SIR network in India at Madura by way of the Pamban Viaduct with the Island of Pambam, from where there was a ferry connection to Ceylon.. Pamban bridge is also associated to a legend; it is believed that this bridge has been constructed at a sacred place named Pamban. The Pamban Bridge Rameshwaram is a marvelous structure and is a treat to watch. These cookies do not store any personal information. Apart from the construction of the bridge, the staff also constructed the Neel-Mandir temple here which has seven domes. Built during British rule in India and opened for traffic in 1914, the Pamban Bridge was India’s first sea bridge, and what makes it special are the two spans in the mid portion of the bridge that open like a pair of scissors for ships and vessels to pass … The Pamban Bridge is a railway bridge on the Palk Strait which connects the town of Rameswaram on Pamban Island to mainland India. Let’s find out why! Pamban Bridge : (Ramaeshwaram) The Pamban Bridge a massive structure over the Indian Ocean and the first sea as well as cantilever bridge constructed in India. 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