**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Railways' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 648 regarding new train services to Rameswaram, following the inauguration of the new Pamban lift bridge.
The Ministry states that Indian Railways introduced the Tambaram-Rameswaram Express (16103/16104) daily, effective April 6, 2025, to enhance passenger convenience. Rameswaram is currently served by 28 train services connecting it to major cities including Chennai, Coimbatore, Kanniyakumari, Tirupati, Bhubaneswar, Banaras, Prayagraj and Ayodhya. The introduction of new train services is an ongoing process, contingent upon traffic justification, operational feasibility, and resource availability.
The Ministry clarifies that the Pamban Bridge's lift span is fully operational. Ships can pass under the lift span upon request from Port Authorities. The response confirms that there are no current technical issues impeding the bridge's operation.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for the railway system in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
SHRI T R BAALU: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question in Lok Sabha.
Rameswaram: A town in Tamil Nadu, India, a significant pilgrimage site and the destination of the proposed new train services.
Pamban: A town in Tamil Nadu, India known for the Pamban Bridge.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India where Rameswaram and Pamban are located.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, who provided the answer to the question.
Tambaram Rameswaram Express: A daily train service introduced by Indian Railways between Tambaram and Rameswaram.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 648
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
NEW TRAIN SERVICES TO RAMESWARAM
648. SHRI T R BAALU:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is proposed to operate new trains and more services to
Rameswaram consequent upon inauguration of a new lift-bridge at Pamban
on the sea;
(b) if so, the details of the trains and the cities identified for introduction of
the same in Tamil Nadu and other States;
(c) whether it is a fact that the new Pamban lift- bridge has remained
unoperational for many days due to technical problems, if so, the details
thereof; and
(d) the details of the timeline by when the bridge is likely to facilitate
passing of ships underneath it?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d) With a view to facilitate the passengers of Rameswaram, Indian
Railways have introduced 16103/16104 Tambaram - Rameswaram Express
(Daily) w.e.f. 06.04.2025. Besides, Rameswaram is also served by 28 train
services, providing connectivity to various cities like Chennai, Coimbatore,
Kanniyakumari, Tirupati, Bhubaneswar, Banaras, Prayagraj, Ayodhya etc.
Further, as the Railway network straddles across State boundaries, train
services are introduced across such boundaries as per network requirement.
However, introduction of train services is an on-going process on Indian
Railways, subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, availability of
resources, etc.
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Further, there is no technical problem in operation of lift span of Pamban
Bridge. Accordingly, ships can pass under the lift span as and when
requested by the Port Authorities.
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