Boarding a train in Chennai and arriving in Colombo, Sri Lanka, by rail may soon shift from history books to reality. The recent inauguration of the new Pamban Bridge by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has revived the long-lost dream of a seamless rail connection between India and Sri Lanka — a dream disrupted in 1964 by a devastating cyclone.
Back then, travelers journeyed from Chennai to Rameswaram, then to Dhanushkodi, and crossed the Palk Strait by ferry to Talaimannar before continuing to Colombo by train. This link was broken when the cyclone destroyed the original Pamban Rail Bridge and the railway track to Dhanushkodi.
Now, six decades later, with the newly built cyclone-resistant Pamban Bridge in place, the groundwork has been laid for further extension. The 25-kilometer gap between Dhanushkodi and Talaimannar could be bridged through a new rail-cum-road link — a plan first envisioned during British rule.
The Indo-Ceylon Express, also known as the Boat Mail, once symbolized Indo-Lankan ties, ferrying passengers across the Palk Strait. The 1964 cyclone halted that era, and subsequent civil unrest and financial challenges shelved further development.
Over the years, talks of reconnecting the two countries have resurfaced. In 2002, Sri Lanka proposed a road-cum-rail bridge, but security and viability concerns paused progress. Renewed interest emerged through regional forums like SAARC, and in 2015, India pitched the project to the Asian Development Bank.
In 2023, economists reignited the conversation by highlighting how such a connection could slash freight costs by 50%. Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe also confirmed a feasibility study for land connectivity was nearing completion.
Although some officials have denied immediate plans, diplomatic signals indicate momentum. In recent visits, PM Modi launched multiple India-funded railway projects in Sri Lanka, reinforcing the growing partnership.
With just 25 kilometers between the countries and mutual economic interests, the possibility of a cross-border rail link no longer seems out of reach. The new Pamban Bridge may be more than just an engineering achievement — it could be the first step toward reuniting India and Sri Lanka by rail.
