Mumbai, April 6: A video circulating on social media has triggered questions over whether the newly inaugurated Pamban Bridge, India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, experienced a technical glitch on the very day it was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, there is no official confirmation from Indian Railways or any government authority regarding such an incident.
The claim first appeared on X (formerly Twitter), where a user named @trainwalebhaiya shared that the vertical lift span of the bridge tilted while being lowered after being raised for a navy ship to pass. The post stated that the event caused panic among railway officials, although it was allegedly resolved quickly.
Another social media user said, “Will request you to add this photo also. The vertical lift stuck while coming down after the 1st lift to pass navy ship. Just show baazi doesn’t work.. #pambanrailbridge stuck. Railway safety commissioner already issued warning on the usage of substandard materials.”
So far, these are unverified social media claims and authorities have not issued any statement confirming the malfunction.
About the New Pamban Bridge
Cost: ₹540 crore
Length: 2.08 kilometers
Features:
99 spans
A 72.5-meter-long vertical lift span, which can rise up to 17 meters to allow large ships to pass
Purpose: Replaces the iconic 1914 British-era cantilever bridge, which was decommissioned in December 2022
Train Service: PM Modi flagged off the Rameswaram–Tambaram Express from the bridge during the inauguration on April 6, 2025
Prime Minister Modi’s Address in Rameswaram
While inaugurating the bridge and laying the foundation stones for various development projects worth over ₹8,300 crore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made several key statements today:
On Tamil Language: “All efforts are on to take Tamil and its heritage to the corners of the world.” He also pointed out that many Tamil Nadu leaders write to him in English and do not even sign in Tamil, urging, “At least put your signature in Tamil.”
On Medical Education in Tamil: Modi pushed for the introduction of Tamil-medium medical education in Tamil Nadu to benefit students from poor families, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity.
On Nation-Building: Referring to Lord Ram on the occasion of Ram Navami, he said:
“Lord Ram’s good governance is the foundation for nation-building.”
On State Funding: He noted that the Centre has increased financial allocation to Tamil Nadu, but still, some people “cry” over funds, without naming specific individuals or parties.
While the structural or functional issue on the Pamban Bridge has become a hot topic online, it remains unconfirmed. The inauguration, nevertheless, marks a significant technological and infrastructural achievement and reaffirms efforts to modernise the country’s railway network.
