Indian Railways has issued a stern fact-check against Dravidianist media outlet Thanthi TV, accusing the channel of peddling baseless rumors about the newly inaugurated Pamban Bridge, India’s first vertical-lift railway sea bridge.
The controversy stems from a Thanthi TV report posted on X at 08:39 AM IST on April 6, 2025, which claimed that the newly opened vertical-lift Pamban Bridge had encountered a malfunction. The post, under the handle @ThanthiTV, stated in Tamil: “செங்குத்து தூக்கு பாலத்தில் பழுது” (Translation: “Fault in the vertical-lift bridge”). It further alleged that the bridge, which had just been inaugurated, couldn’t be lowered due to a defect, with one side remaining uneven, causing operational issues. The report added that officials were working to fix the problem
The post’s narrative fueled a wave of skepticism, with some users mocking the project’s execution.
However, Indian Railways was quick to counter the claims. At 6:27 PM IST, the Madurai Division of Southern Railway posted an official statement on X, directly addressing Thanthi TV’s report. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Madurai stated, “The New Pamban Bridge was successfully inaugurated and train services have commenced. It is receiving an enthusiastic response. We request not to spread rumours. The bridge is strong and safe—please avoid carrying false or misleading information.” The post tagged Thanthi TV, making it clear that the Railways viewed the channel’s report as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
Don’t spread rumour. The 16104 Rameswaram–Tambaram Express departed on time and successfully crossed the new pamban bridge. Please watch the video in the link below.https://t.co/8ZbAJKHIUk
— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) April 6, 2025
The New Pamban Bridge, a 2.07-kilometer marvel constructed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) at a cost of over Rs 550 crore, replaces the 110-year-old Pamban Bridge, which was decommissioned in December 2022 due to structural issues. Inaugurated on Ram Navami, the new bridge features a 72.5-meter vertical-lift span, allowing ships to pass underneath while supporting train speeds of up to 80 kmph. The launch event saw the first run of the Rameswaram-Tambaram Express, marking a significant step in restoring rail connectivity to the pilgrimage hub of Rameswaram.
Thanthi TV, a leading Tamil news outlet often linked to Dravidianist ideologies, has not yet issued a retraction or response to the Railways’ statement. This isn’t the first time the channel has faced criticism for unverified reporting, but the direct intervention by a public institution like Indian Railways has brought the issue into sharper focus. Critics on X have pointed to a pattern, with one user noting, “Thanthi TV thrives on half-truths—this bridge rumor is just the latest in a long line of questionable stories.”
Railway officials further clarified that the bridge underwent extensive testing before its inauguration. The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) conducted inspections in November 2024, followed by successful trial runs at speeds up to 90 kmph. While a CRS report had flagged minor design deviations—later addressed by Southern Railway—the bridge was fully cleared for operations. “This project is a pinnacle of Indian engineering, not a rushed job. Claims of malfunctions are completely unfounded,” a Southern Railway spokesperson told reporters.
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