Pamban railway bridge

Pamban railway bridge was the first Indian  bridge which is built across the sea. It is generally referred  as The queen of Indian bridges . 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.

The bridge spans a length of 6776 feet (2.065 meters) and has 143 piers. There is a double leaf bascule  in the center of this bridge. This bascule section opens up and let the ships and boats to cross the pamban bridge over the sea.Based on the records averagely there are 10 to 15 large boats or ships (coast guard boats, cargo ships, container ships etc.,) pass beneath this bridge every month.

Astonishing Facts about Pamban Rail bridge

• Second Longest sea bridge in India ( first longest till the opening of Bandra worli – sea link Mumbai on 2009).
• The location of this bridge is world’s second highly corrosive environment next to Miami, US.
• It is also Cyclone prone and high velocity wind zone.
• The two hundred tonne bascule leaves are still operated manually by the workers .
• This Rail bridge was shattered during the cyclone on December 26, 1964.
• After the cyclone the Indian railway set a plan to repair the Pamban bridge , targeted in 6 months.
• The bridge was renovated and restored again in just 46 days under the leadership of I.E.S officer E.sreedharan renowned as Metro man ( Recognition for this quick heal achievement he was given a Railway minister’s award, in that year.)
• In 2014 Hundredth year celebration of the Pamban bridge was done