Dhanushkodi to get back rail track at Rs 208 cr

According to official sources, work on the 17.20 km stretch will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 208 crore. Furthermore, the process of constructing a new structure to replace the 104-year-old Pamban bridge will start in January. It will be ready in four-five years, sources added.

The 1964 cyclone washed away the railway line, which has remained unattended till date. While Dhanushkodi could never be rebuilt, the place became a popular tourist destination. Dhanushkodi holds religious significance due to the proximity of Ram Setu, popularly known as Adam’s Bridge.

Meanwhile, a new bridge estimated to cost Rs 250 crore with vertical lift span technology will replace the Pamban structure. The bridge, which connects Rameswaram with mainland India, used to be the longest sea link before the Bandra-Worli connection came up.

The new bridge, which will be built just parallel to the existing one, will have the first vertical lift span in India, official sources said. Because of the vertical lift, a full horizontal width of 63 metres will be available for navigation. It will enable two ships to cross at a time, as it will now rise 19 metres above sea level, three metres higher than the previous bridge.

The new rail bridge will have stainless steel rods, which are less prone to corrosion in the sea. Sleepers will be made of ‘composite’ (made of many metals together), which is again corrosion-free.