Connectivity between Rameshwaram island and mainland is set to resume soon as India’s first vertical lift rail bridge at Pamban underwent a second set of tests, in which top speed of 80 km per hour was reached.
On Monday, a second series of tests were conducted on the 2.07-km bridge between Pamban and Rameswaram. These tests are some of the final steps towards resuming rail connectivity between the island and mainland. The project is being executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), on behalf of Southern Railway.
The construction of the new railway bridge, costing over Rs 500 crore, began in February 2020 under RVNL’s supervision. Once the tests are concluded, Rameshwaram’s connectivity to mainland via railway will resume after the old Pamban bridge was closed to the public in December 2022.
On November 14, a team led by Southern Circle Railways Safety Commissioner AM Chowdry inspected the new construction at Rameswaram railway station and the new bridge. The first of the tests was conducted on October 1. The series of tests will continue before rail traffic between Pamban and Rameswaram is open to the public again.
TESTS ON NEW PAMBAN BRIDGE
The team also inspected the pillars of the new bridge, the tracks, high tension cable on it and the 700-tonne weighing bridge vertical lift capability.
Tremor measurements were also recorded during the raising and lowering of the bridge. Later, a train comprising an engine and eight passenger coaches was tested travelling at a speed of 80-90 kmph on the bridge.
The test results were recorded and the initial findings were found to be satisfactory. The opening of the bridge will be determined based on the final report.
OLD AND NEW BRIDGES
In the previous test, too, a trial run of a train was conducted in which it achieved a speed of 90 kmph on the Pamban-Mandapam section and 80 kmph on the bridge.
Commissioner of Railway Safety, Southern Circle Chowdhry on November 14 conducted statutory inspection of the newly laid broad gauge line between Pamban and Mandapam stations as well as the newly constructed Pamban bridge.
Operations of the Pamban Bridge vertical lift girder span were also successfully demonstrated.