A successful Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) engine run demonstrated the strength and precision of India's first vertical-lift railway sea bridge, spanning the Palk Strait and connecting Mandapam and Pamban railway stations. With speeds reaching up to 121 km per hour, the bridge is ready to handle high-speed rail traffic. This modern engineering marvel, executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), promises to revolutionize connectivity and navigation in the area.
India Inaugurates First Vertical-Lift Railway Sea Bridge
Background:
The Pamban Railway Bridge, located in Tamil Nadu, India, was the first cantilever bridge in the country. Built in 1914, it connected the main part of India with the island of Rameswaram. However, due to its age and structural limitations, the bridge was unable to handle the increasing rail traffic and high-speed trains.
In 2019, the Government of India approved the construction of a new vertical-lift railway sea bridge to replace the Pamban Bridge. The project was undertaken by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).
The New Bridge:
The new bridge is an engineering marvel that spans the Palk Strait, connecting Mandapam and Pamban railway stations. It features a vertical-lift section that can be raised to allow ships to pass through. The bridge has a length of 2.055 kilometers and a height of 12 meters.
The vertical-lift section of the bridge is the first of its kind in India. It is operated by a state-of-the-art Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) that ensures the precise and safe lifting and lowering of the bridge.
Technical Specifications:
Significance:
The new vertical-lift railway sea bridge is a significant infrastructure project that will:
Top 5 FAQs:
1. What is a vertical-lift bridge?
A vertical-lift bridge is a type of movable bridge where the span lifts vertically to allow ships to pass through.
2. Why was a new bridge needed?
The old Pamban Bridge was old, structurally limited, and unable to handle the increasing rail traffic and high-speed trains.
3. What is the Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS)?
The OMS is a state-of-the-art system that ensures the precise and safe lifting and lowering of the bridge's vertical-lift section.
4. What is the speed limit on the new bridge?
The speed limit on the new bridge is 121 km per hour.
5. When was the new bridge opened?
The new vertical-lift railway sea bridge was opened to traffic on October 27, 2022.
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