The construction of the new Pamban Bridge, a Railways' engineering marvel, will be completed by December with an estimated cost of Rs 560 crore, officials said Saturday.
The two-km long bridge is India's first vertical lift sea bridge which would open upwards to let big ships pass through. It is being developed by the Railway Vikas Nigam Limited.
While an over 100-year old bridge is already in service, the new one will be more advanced and technologically robust.
Trains can run at a maximum speed of just 10kmph on the existing bridge, while on the new bridge they can go up to 80 kmph, the officials said.
The upcoming bridge will be a boon for devotees and pilgrims who wish to embark on a spiritual journey to Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi.
The old bridge is single-line, non-electrified section, whereas the new one will be a double-line, electrified railway track.
Freight trains were banned on the old bridge, but they will be allowed on the new one, the officials said.
The new bridge was to be operationalised last year in September, but it was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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