On April 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Pamban Bridge, India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, connecting Mandapam on the mainland to Rameswaram on Pamban Island.The 2,070-meter-long bridge features a 63-meter vertical lifting section, allowing ships up to 72 meters in height to pass through.This modern engineering marvel replaces the old Pamban Bridge, which was permanently closed in December 2022 due to structural concerns.Constructed at a cost of ₹280 crore, the new bridge is expected to boost tourism and facilitate smoother transportation to the pilgrimage town of Rameswaram