In April 2025, the Prime Minister (PM) of India, Narendra Modi, laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple rail and road development projects worth over Rs 8,300 crore in Rameswaram, located in Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu (TN).
- These developments reflect the Government of India(GoI)’s commitment to modernizing infrastructure and promoting economic growth in TN.
India’s First Vertical Lift Sea Bridge:
i.PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Pamban Rail Bridge, India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, connecting Rameswaram Island with Mandapam on the mainland in TN, replacing the old British-era bridge.
- The bridge is considered a technological marvel and aims to boost both trade and tourism, enhancing ease of travel and ease of doing business.
ii.The 2.07 kilometer (km) long bridge was built by New Delhi (Delhi) based Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Railways (MoR), at an estimated cost of Rs 700 crore.
iii.The bridge comprises 99 spans and a 72.5-metre (m) vertical lift span over the Palk Strait, which elevates up to 17 m to enable smooth ship passage.
iv.Built using stainless steel reinforcement, fully welded joints, high-grade protective paint, and polysiloxane coating, it ensures durability and resistance to corrosion.
New Train and Maritime Services:
i.PM Narendra Modi flagged off a new train service between Rameswaram and Tambaram (Chennai) in TN from the road bridge.
ii.He also flagged off a Coast Guard Ship(CGS) service under the New Pamban Rail Bridge, highlighting multimodal connectivity from the region.
Note: The railway budget allocation for TN increased to over Rs 6,000 crore in 2024-25, compared to only Rs 900 crore before 2014.
Key Infrastructure Development Projects in TN
i.PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated completed infrastructure under National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in TN worth over Rs 8,300 crore, including:
- Walajapet – Ranipet (28 km) section of National Highway (NH)-40
- Villuppuram – Puducherry (29 km) section of NH-332
- Poondiyankuppam – Sattanathapuram (57 km) section of NH-32
- Cholapuram – Thanjavur (48 km) section of NH-36
ii.These projects aim to improve access to medical colleges, ports, and markets, boost tourism and industries, and support easier transport of agricultural goods across TN.
Points to Note:
i.Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) (North): World’s highest rail bridge (359 m).
ii.Atal Setu Bridge (Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri–Nhava Sheva Atal Setu) in Mumbai (West): The longest sea bridge in India (21.8 km).
iii.Bogibeel Bridge in Assam (East): The longest rail-cum-road bridge in India, built over the Brahmaputra River (4.94 km).
About Tamil Nadu (TN):
Chief Minister (CM) – Muthuvel Karunanidhi (M.K.) Stalin
Governor – Ravindra Narayana (R.N.) Ravi
Capital – Chennai
National Parks – Mukurthi National Park, Mudumalai National Park
