Pamban Bridge

Pamban Bridge is a railway bridge connecting the Rameswaram town on Pamban Island with Mandapam in mainland. It was opened on 24 February 1914 and was India's first longest sea bridge. It was a classic bridge design with support of concrete pillars. It is also a double-leaf moveable bridge that lifts up in the middle to allow ships to pass through. 

The Pamban bridge was the only surface transport link that connected Rameswaram to the mainland until 1988 with a road bridge parallel to sea bridge. In 2020, a new bridge was constructed  closer to the exisiting one.

History:

In 1870, the British Administration sought ways to increase trade with the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. In result, plans for a bridge to connect to mainland was suggested and the construction began in August 1911. The bridge was opened for public on 24 February 1914.

The bridge was damaged during 1964 Rameswaram cyclone and required extensive repair work.  In 2022 December, rail transportation on the briddge was suspended as the bascule section(lift up area in the bridge) had weakened due to corrosion. The new Pamban Bridge was completed in 2024 and was opened for public in April 2025.

How To Reach:

Rameswaram-Tambaram train, Rameswaram SF Express(22661), RMM MS Express(16752), Tbm RMM Express(16103),Rm Tbm Exp(16104), Rmm Cbe Express (16617) and Rmm Cape SF Express ( 22621) are the trains from Rameswaram to Pamban railway station that passes through Pamban bridge. You can enjoy the scenic journey through Pamban bridge by booking any of these trains.