Pamban Bridge: Connecting Cultures

The Pamban Bridge was designed as a conventional structure resting on concrete piers, featuring a double-leaf bascule section midway to allow ships and barges to pass through.

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DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FEATS This section, known as the Scherzer Rolling Lift Span, was a significant engineering achievement of its time. The bridge's construction involved 143 piers, each spaced approximately 13 meters apart, supporting the steel truss structure. The bascule span measured 65.23 meters and was manually operated to facilitate maritime navigation.

ROLE IN TRADE AND TRANSPORTATION During the 1600s to 1800s, trade flourished between Pamban, Rameswaram, and Sri Lanka, primarily relying on large boats and small ships. The introduction of the Pamban Railway Bridge revolutionized this dynamic by providing a direct rail link, significantly enhancing trade and passenger movement. The bridge became an integral part of the "Boat Mail" service, connecting India and Sri Lanka more closely.