New Delhi/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Tamil Nadu on Sunday, which also marks the occasion of Ram Navami, and will inaugurate the new Pamban Rail Bridge.

This will be India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, and PM Modi will flag off the Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) new train service and a ship from the road bridge.

PM Modi will also perform darshan and pooja at the Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram.

He will lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation various rail and road projects worth over Rs 8,300 crore in Tamil Nadu. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

The Pamban Rail Bridge carries a deep cultural significance as, according to the Ramayana, the construction of Ram Setu was initiated from Dhanushkodi in Rameswaram, a government statement said.

The bridge, linking Rameswaram to the mainland, stands as a remarkable feat of Indian engineering on the global stage and was built at a cost of over Rs 550 crore.

It is 2.08 km in length and features 99 spans and a 72.5-metre vertical lift span that rises to a height of 17 metres, facilitating smooth movement of ships while ensuring seamless train operations.

Constructed with stainless steel reinforcement, high-grade protective paint, and fully welded joints, the bridge boasts increased durability and reduced maintenance needs. It is designed for dual rail tracks to accommodate future demands. A special polysiloxane coating protects it from corrosion, ensuring longevity in the harsh marine environment.

The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation various rail and road projects worth over Rs 8,300 crore in Tamil Nadu. These projects include the foundation stone for four-laning of 28 Km long Walajapet – Ranipet section of NH-40 and dedication to the Nation of 4-laned 29 Km long Viluppuram – Puducherry section of NH-332; 57 Km long Poondiyankuppam – Sattanathapuram section of NH-32 and 48 Km long Cholapuram – Thanjavur section of NH-36.

These highways will connect many pilgrim centres and tourist places, reduce the distance between cities, and enable faster access to medical colleges and hospitals and ports, besides empowering local farmers to transport agricultural products to the nearby markets as well as boost the economic activity of local leather and small scale industries.