India's first rail lift bridge is an engineering marvel that derailed 'sea monsters'
The New Indian Express Coimbatore|January 06, 2025
After more than two years of wait, train services are set to resume on Pamban-Rameswaram section, with a new vertical lift bridge at Pamban replacing the iconic but old structure that had long connected Rameswaram Island to the Indian mainland.
ANBUSELVAN @ Rameswaram

Spanning the Palk Strait in the Bay of Bengal, this new 2.08 m bridge is not only a critical transportation link but also considered an engineering feat of sorts.

Its unique feature lies in the 72.5-metre-long navigational span, which weighs a staggering 660 metric tonnes (MT). Using a theoretically simple technology, a counterweight system - to suspend 620 of the 660 MT above the sea, the bridge reduces its reliance on powerful electric motors which are now used to elevate only the remaining 40 MT.

The bridge has been cleared by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) after addressing concerns. In response to CRS observations regarding procedural lapses such as delays in obtaining approvals and measures to prevent corrosion, the Ministry of Railways issued a detailed explanation and made corrections, clearing the way for the resumption of train services to Rameswaram.

This story is from the January 06, 2025 edition of The New Indian Express Coimbatore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 06, 2025 edition of The New Indian Express Coimbatore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS COIMBATOREView All
The New Indian Express Coimbatore

Pentagon Deploys 1,500 Troops Along US-Mexico Border

THE Pentagon said it has begun deploying 1,500 active duty troops to help secure the southern border, putting in motion plans President Donald Trump laid out in executive orders shortly after he took office to crack down on immigration.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Coimbatore

Indira Gave Katchatheevu to SL as Strategic Step: Cong

TAMIL NADU Congress Committee (TNCC) president K Selvaperunthagai on Thursday criticised BJP president K Annamalai for his remarks against former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for giving Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Coimbatore

Release treated sewage in ponds on city's outskirts

AFTER Chinnavedampatti residents raised objections against Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation's (CCMC) decision of carrying treated water to Chinnavedampatti Lake, environmentalists working for conservation of waterbodies in the city have urged CCMC to release treated water to eight ponds situated outside corporation limits.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Coimbatore

Smuggler slips from bike at speed bump, arrested by cops

THE Sundarapuram police in the city chased down a gang smuggling sandalwood and arrested one person, in the wee hours of Thursday.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Coimbatore

Spin it to win it: Varun growing in stature

Gambhir and other leaders in the team has propelled spinner to be more attacking, says former India pacer Balaji

time-read
2 mins  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Coimbatore

Lakshya, Sat-Chi bow out

ILL form continues to haunt most of the Indian shuttlers at the moment.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Coimbatore

New Fire Erupts Near LA, Triggers Evacuation

Blaze fanned by strong, dry Santa Ana winds racing through the area; evacuation ordered for 31,000 people

time-read
2 mins  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Coimbatore

EPS Sticks To Guns On 'DMK Promises' Claim

A day after chief minister MK Stalin had a go at AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) over the latter's criticism of the state's fiscal situation, the former chief minister on Thursday stuck to his guns and reiterated his accusation that the DMK government has failed to fulfil several of its key poll promises.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Coimbatore

Keys shocks Swiatek to reach final

MADISON Keys fought back from a set down on Thursday to shock Iga Swiatek in a nail-biter and set up an Australian Open final against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Coimbatore

Capex spends may not see sharp rise

Most analysts expect the capex allocation to rise by 10-12% over the actual capex in FY25

time-read
2 mins  |
January 24, 2025