Trial Runs on New Pamban Bridge as Rail Services Resume to Rameswaram

03 Feb 2025 CW Team

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

Infrastructure Transport

05 Feb 2026

MMRDA Installs 325-Tonne Steel Spans on Mumbai Metro Line 4

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has achieved a key construction milestone on Metro Line 4 with the successful installation of three large steel spans at Bhandup West during overnight operations.The spans, together weighing 325 metric tonnes, were launched using eight heavy-duty cranes and 12 multi-axle vehicles. The operation required precise engineering and meticulous planning to minimise disruption in the densely populated suburban area.Due to effective inter-agency coordination, the work—originally scheduled across four nights—was completed within just two n..

CMRL Targets March 2027 Opening for Vadapalani–Panagal Park

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is progressing as scheduled to open the Vadapalani–Panagal Park section of Phase II’s Corridor 4 by March 2027. The 3.5 km underground stretch is part of the 26.1 km Corridor 4 connecting Lighthouse with Poonamallee Bypass.Construction activities are advancing steadily, with tunnelling works between Vadapalani and Panagal Park already completed. Track-laying operations are expected to commence shortly. At Panagal Park station, structural works have reached the concourse and platform levels, while excavation continues at the lowest level.CMRL is also consid..

Maha-Metro Invites Pune Metro Civil Maintenance Bids

Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) has invited bids for the annual civil maintenance contract of the Pune Metro Rail Project. The tender, bearing ID and number P1-O&M-20/2025, is scheduled to close on 23 February 2026, with a pre-bid meeting slated for 10 February 2026. The earnest money deposit (EMD) for the contract is Rs 3,50,500, and the duration of the contract is one year.The scope of work includes annual civil maintenance of 28 elevated and underground stations, 28.079 km of elevated viaduct including steel bridges, 12.15 km of tunnels, and two depots under the ..