On April 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Pamban Bridge, India’s first-ever vertical lift sea bridge, which connects Rameswaram Island to the mainland. This innovative bridge is expected to improve transportation and economic development in the region. During the event, Modi also flagged off a Coast Guard ship that passed under the newly opened bridge.
A memorable Ram Navami in Rameswaram! Equally wonderful is inauguration of new infra projects. Here are the highlights.. pic.twitter.com/kEeN762oly
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 6, 2025
The inauguration ceremony was part of a broader initiative where the Prime Minister laid the foundation for several important rail and road projects, totaling more than ₹8,300 crore. In his speech, Modi emphasized the significance of Ram Navami and spoke about how Lord Ram’s principles of good governance lay the foundation for building a strong nation. He also connected Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage to Lord Ram, referencing ancient Sangam literature.
Modi addressed the ongoing issue of Indian fishermen being detained by Sri Lanka, sharing that over the last decade, more than 3,700 fishermen had been brought back, with over 600 returning in the last year alone.
While Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin skipped the event, he raised concerns over the delimitation process and called on Modi to clarify the matter. In response, Modi made a subtle remark, discussing the importance of imparting medical education in Tamil and pointing out that 11 new medical colleges had been established in the state recently. He also emphasized efforts to promote the Tamil language and culture internationally.
The Prime Minister praised the hard work of Tamil Nadu’s fishing community, highlighting that significant funds had been allocated under the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana to support modernizing the fishing industry and providing better facilities for fishermen.
Addressing allegations by the DMK government about inadequate funding for Tamil Nadu, Modi asserted that the central government had allocated three times more funds for the state’s development over the past decade compared to previous years, reaffirming its commitment to Tamil Nadu’s progress.
This event marks a significant step in enhancing infrastructure and fostering regional development while promoting Tamil Nadu’s rich cultural heritage and economic growth.