Pamban Bridge

The Pamban rail bridge opened in 1914 across the strait to Rameswaram island, about two kilometres long on concrete piers, and it carried a Scherzer rolling lift span in the middle that opened to let ships through, the first sea bridge built in India. It survived the 1964 cyclone that destroyed Dhanushkodi, though the track was wrecked and rebuilt in weeks. A road bridge was added alongside in 1988, giving the standard view of trains crossing over water. The old rail bridge was closed for safety and replaced by a new vertical-lift bridge, opened in 2025 on a parallel alignment.

History

A bridge to the mainland was first suggested in 1870, as the British looked for ways to increase trade with Ceylon; construction began in August 1911, and it opened on 24 February 1914 as India's first sea bridge. It was damaged in the Rameswaram cyclone of 1964 and repaired, a road bridge was added alongside in 1988, rail traffic on the old bridge was stopped for good in December 2022 because of corrosion, and in January 2026 its dismantling began (Wikipedia, Pamban Bridge).

What's there

• The 1914 bridge - the original piers and lift span across the strait, with dismantling announced in January 2026.
• The new lift bridge - the vertical-lift replacement opened in 2025.
• The road crossing - the parallel bridge giving views of trains over water.
• The strait - shallow blue water with fishing boats on both sides.

When to go

October to March; the crossing is made at any time and the classic view is from the road bridge as a train passes. Cyclone season runs October to December with occasional closures.

Good to know

The historic 1914 bridge has carried no trains since December 2022, and in January 2026 Indian Railways announced plans to dismantle it, starting with the central lift span - check what still stands before travelling for it. Stopping on the road bridge is restricted. Wind on the crossing is strong and closures occur in bad weather.

Nearby

Rameswaram lies east; Mandapam is on the mainland.

Key facts