Train Services Suspended From Rameswaram After New Pamban Bridge Faces Technical Glitch

Last Updated:August 12, 2025, 23:04 IST

Train services from Rameswaram were suspended due to a technical fault on the new Pamban Rail Bridge, affecting four trains and leaving passengers stranded.

The ministry of railways said the New Pamban Bridge is a modern engineering marvel, being India's first vertical lift sea bridge. (Image: @RailMinIndia/X)

Train services from Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram were suspended for several hours on Tuesday due to a technical fault on the newly built Pamban Rail Bridge.

The disruption began when railway officials detected a technical fault in the vertical lift section of the bridge.

At least four trains, including Train No. 16104 Rameswaram — Tambaram Express, Train no. 16527 Rameswaram — Chennai Egmore Express, Train no. 56716 Rameswaram — Madurai passenger, and Train No. 56713 Madurai —Rameswaram Passenger, were stopped at Akka Math, news agency ANI reported. The suspension of train services left scores of passengers stranded mid-journey.

Following the detection of the glitch, the Pamban Vertical Suspension Bridge was lowered, and a test run was conducted by running a train engine on it.

The new Pamban Bridge connects Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu to the mainland. The bridge replaces the existing 2km-long sea bridge, which was opened in 1914. It was severely damaged by a cyclone in 1964 and was fixed at the time. Rail traffic on the old Pamban bridge was suspended in December 2022 after cracks were noticed.

It is India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the bridge on April 6.

The bridge carries a deep cultural significance. According to the Ramayana, the construction of Ram Setu was initiated from Dhanushkodi near Rameswaram.

The bridge, linking Rameswaram to the mainland, stands as a remarkable feat of Indian engineering on the global stage. It is built at a cost of over Rs 550 crore. It is 2.08 km in length, features 99 spans and a 72.5-metre vertical lift span that rises up to a height of 17 metres, facilitating smooth movement of larger ships while ensuring seamless train operations, it said.

Constructed with stainless steel reinforcement, high-grade protective paint, and fully welded joints, the bridge boasts increased durability and reduced maintenance needs. It is designed for dual rail tracks to accommodate future demands. A special polysiloxane coating protects it from corrosion, ensuring longevity in the harsh marine environment.

(With inputs from agecies)

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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Rameswaram, India, India

First Published:

August 12, 2025, 23:04 IST

News india Train Services Suspended From Rameswaram After New Pamban Bridge Faces Technical Glitch

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