As part of the final trials before resuming operations, trains with empty rakes were operated on the new Pamban bridge to reach Rameswaram station. Following these trial runs, the central spans of both the old and new railway sea bridges were lifted to allow Indian Coast Guard vessels and fishing boats to pass beneath.

Train services on the new Pamban bridge are expected to resume soon, according to senior Railway officials. Operations on the old bridge were halted in December 2022 due to a red alert issued by structural sensors.

After a two-year hiatus, a diesel locomotive hauling empty passenger rakes crossed the new Pamban bridge to Rameswaram on Friday. The first trial run took place early in the morning with empty rakes of the Kanniyakumari-Rameswaram SF Express (Train No 22622), which operates from Mandapam and is maintained at Madurai station. The train departed from Mandapam at 6:00 am and arrived at Rameswaram station's pit lines by 6:25 am for maintenance before returning to Mandapam.

A second trial run took place around midday with the empty rakes of the Chennai-Rameswaram Express traveling from Mandapam to Rameswaram over the new bridge. Following these trials, the central spans of both bridges were raised to facilitate the passage of the Coast Guard and fishing vessels.

Work on the new Pamban railway sea bridge began in 2019, with an estimated cost of Rs 5.35 billion. In November 2024, the Commissioner of Railway Safety inspected the bridge and granted approval for train operations. The new bridge is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month.

News source: Swarajya