PM Modi Inaugurates ₹8,300-Crore Infrastructure Projects in Rameswaram – India’s First Vertical Lift Sea Bridge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 06 and announced infrastructure projects worth over ₹8,300 crore on the occasion of Ram Navami in a clear signal of the Centre’s focus on improving connectivity and development in Tamil Nadu.

Modi went on to announce the opening of the new Pamban Rail Bridge, India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, which he called a “21st-century engineering marvel” connecting the historic temple city and the mainland. The bridge allows both for faster movement by trains and passage by large ships underneath, and it represents what Modi called the “union of technology and tradition.”

The Prime Minister flagged off the new train and the ship from the road bridge and also offered pooja at Ramanathaswamy Temple. Referring to Rameswaram as “the sacred land of Dr. Kalam,” Modi connected the town’s spiritual legacy to scientific advancement.

Rail and road projects will improve Ease of Travel and Ease of Doing Business significantly, benefiting lakhs of people directly, he added. Key announcements included a new train service connecting Rameswaram and Chennai, and road projects worth nearly ₹8,000 crore to improve connectivity across Tamil Nadu and into Andhra Pradesh.

Commenting on the role of Tamil Nadu in the development of India, Modi said that the Centre had tripled its assistance to Tamil Nadu as compared to pre-2014 status. He pointed out the railway budget has increased sevenfold from ₹900 crore per year to over ₹6,000 crore this year. Rameswaram is among 77 railway stations being redeveloped.

While reviewing wider national development, Modi named ongoing projects such as the Chenab Bridge in J&K, Atal Setu in Mumbai, Bogibeel Bridge in Assam, and the first bullet train corridor, and also the running of modern trains such as Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat.

He also underscored social infrastructure achievements: over 12 lakh pucca ghar in Tamil Nadu under PM Awas Yojana, 10 million families getting tap water for the first time and ₹80 billion of savings in healthcare expenditure under Ayushman Bharat. Stating that more than 1,400 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are serving affordable medicines in Tamil Nadu, saving the people ₹7,000 crore, he said