Jammu, June 25 (IANS) The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed a vital 140-foot Bailey bridge in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, restoring connectivity between Gulabgarh and the Machail area.

Lt Colonel Suneel Bartwal, Defence Ministry spokesperson, said in a statement that the bridge at Chishoti was completed in just 12 days by the 118 Road Construction Company of 35 Border Roads Task Force under Project Sampark.

He described it as a “significant achievement demonstrating engineering excellence and commitment to nation-building”.

The new bridge replaces the structure washed away during the devastating cloudburst of August 14, 2025, which had severed the only road link to the remote Machail region.

It was virtually inaugurated by Lt Gen PK Mishra, General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps, in the presence of Sunil Kumar Sharma, Leader of the Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly and MLA from Padder–Nagseni.

The construction involved extensive site preparation, abutments, the transportation of stores, the launching of the Bailey Bridge, and the development of approach roads under difficult terrain and weather conditions. Army Engineers specialists provided technical support.

Lt Gen Mishra commended the dedication and resilience of BRO and Army Engineers, saying the project reflected the organisation’s motto ‘Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam: Everything is Achievable Through Hard Work’.

Following the cloudburst, the Raksha Mantri had announced that BRO would take over the Gulabgarh-Machail road to ensure long-term development and maintenance.

The Defence Ministry approved the proposal in March 2026, with formal transfer orders expected soon.

The road is strategically important, forming part of the Kishtwar-Gulabgarh-Kundal-Machail axis, with potential future connectivity through the proposed Umasi La Pass to Nimmu in Ladakh’s Zanskar Valley. It also serves as the primary route to the revered Machail Mata Temple, which attracts over three lakh pilgrims annually.

Officials said the timely completion of the bridge ensures reliable connectivity ahead of the Machail Mata Yatra in July and restores socio-economic lifelines for residents of the remote region.

–IANS

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