Tender from SR to remove century old Pamban Railway Bridge in south TN!!
Scherzer suspension bridge was opened for rail traffic over Pamban sea near Rameswaram in TN on 24th of February in the year 1914. It is known that this bridge linked Rameswaram on Pamban Island to the mainland of India. In 1964, this Pamban Bridge was severely damaged because of cyclone and extensive repair was carried out. In 2014, 100 years of Pamban Railway Bridge was also celebrated. The bridge transformed Rameswaram into a spiritual destination.
It must be remembered that in 2019 cracks in the old Pamban Bridge led to discontinuation of the train services also. In the same year, SR began constructing a new bridge near the old bridge. The new bridge construction was completed in 5 years and was opened by the PM of India on 6th of April 2025. Information is that this new bridge was constructed for 2.5km for Rs 535 cr.
There has been huge difficulty in operating the old Pamban Bridge near the new bridge and due to this the Railways administration took measures to remove the old bridge.
The news that has come out now is that the SR or Southern Railways has floated a tender to remove the century old Pamban Bridge. It has been mentioned in the tender that the work should be completed within 4 months at a cost of Rs 2.81 cr. Now, there is a suggestion regarding converting this old Pamban Bridge into a monument and making it as a place for the railway passengers to visit.
