Pamban Road Bridge: Annai Indira Gandhi Bridge
The Pamban Road Bridge connects the National Highway (NH 49) with the Rameswaram island. It stands on the palk strait and between the shores of Mandapam (Place on the Indian Main land) and Pamban (One of the fishermen town in Rameswaram island). And it stands parallel to the Pamban Rail Bridge
Quick History of Pamban Road Bridge
After the cyclone of 1964, A plan for a Road bridge parallel to the Existed Railway bridge was proposed by the Tamilnadu Government, but it was cancelled by Indian Railway Ministry .
The construction works of Pamban Road bridge was commenced on 17.11.1974 by the Indian Highway department . (By that time they estimate the cost for built this bridge as 537.57 Lakhs !! J ) and contracted to M/S Neelakandan Brothers Engs ., Madras .
After the 1978 cyclone the work was carried out slowly, After few years the construction work contract was given to the New Gammon India Ltd., (The Government sanctioned 16.6514 crore INR by 1986).
The work was completed on 1988 , ( It takes merely 14 years to complete this Engineering Marvel ).
This Road Bridge was named as ANNAI INDIRA GANDHI ROAD BRIDGE, and inaugurated by former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi On the date of October 2, 1988.
Renovation Works:
The Anti corrosive coating painting works were done in 1992 and 2002 , It is proposed that the anti-corrosive coatings should be given once in every five years because of its location (Located in second most corrosive environment after Miami,US).
On January 2013 , The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had sanctioned the renovation project for Rs. 18.57 crores. The Bridge was renovated and given a anti corrosive coating, Sources said the the piers, were painted with coal tar epoxy, and the non-splash zone with epoxy primer. The 592 old bearings were replaced and the electrical cables and the lamp posts were repaired.
Architecture of Pamban Bridge:
The Pamban Road Bridge bridge spans the length of 2.345 km . The arch shaped architecture of the bridge, and its height from the sea level let the ships and boats pass beneath its piers (Pillars) without any disturbance (The pamban cantilever rail bridge has gate like passage arrangement named “Scherzer Roll” in the middle of it) .
The massive dimensions , facts and figures of the Pamban Road Bridge are given Below
| Name of the Bridge | Annai Indira Gandhi Bridge |
| Commonly referred Names | Indhra Gandhi Bridge, Pamban Bridge, Pamban Road Bridge |
| Opened on | 1988, 2nd October |
| The structural Design | Arch Bridge |
| The Length of the Pamban Road Bridge | 2.345 KM |
| The Total Number Of Pillars (Piers) holding the Bridge | 79 Pillars |
| The Length of the Pamban Road Bridge | 2.345 KM |
| The Total Number Of Pillars (Piers) holding the Bridge | 79 Pillars |
| Number of Pillars (Piers) Stands inside the Sea | 64 pillars |
| The Maximum Height of the Bridge from the sea level | 17.68 M |
| The Number of Electrical Lamp posts on the bridge | 174 Lamp Poles |
| Connecting Places | Mandapam and Pamban |
| Lane | two lane |
| Region | Over the Palk strait |
| Location | 2824167° N 79.1889222° E |
Pamban Road Bridge Map:
To Know about Pamban Railway Bridge click here
.