J&K: L-G inaugurates 150-foot Bailey bridge on Ramban–Gool Road

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday virtually inaugurated a 150-foot, triple-panel, double-storey, extra-wide reinforced Bailey Bridge on the Ramban–Gool Road, constructed by the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps Engineers. The bridge, designed to withstand heavy traffic, has restored a crucial road link that was washed away by recent landslides triggered by incessant rains.

The Lieutenant Governor dedicated the bridge to the people of Ramban and expressed gratitude to the brave Army engineers who had worked tirelessly under challenging conditions to build it.

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“The bridge is a symbol of hope and a lifeline for around 1.5 lakh people living in Ramban, Sangaldan, and Gool areas. It will boost connectivity and enhance ease of living. Recent natural calamities had severely impacted lives, causing infrastructure damage, economic hardships, and disruption of vital routes connecting Gool, Sangaldan, and surrounding areas. This Bailey Bridge is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and unwavering service of the Indian Army. The vital connectivity and aid to affected communities by the Army have given new hope to the entire region,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He added that the bridge will restore connectivity between Ramban, Sangaldan, Gool, and adjoining areas, ensuring uninterrupted access to essential supplies, medical assistance, and emergency services. “This bridge underlines the fact that in times of need, the Indian Army always stands with the nation and its people,” he said.

Major General APS Bal, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Delta Force; Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor; Mohammad Alyas Khan, Deputy Commissioner Ramban; Brigadier K Arun, Commander 11 Sector RR; Shridhar Patil, DIG Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range, along with senior officials of the Army, civil administration, and police attended the inaugural ceremony.

A defence spokesperson said the washed-away site was located nearly 20 metres above the turbulent Chenab River under unstable cliffs. A team from the White Knight Engineers was deployed, and they successfully launched the Bailey Bridge. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), NHAI, District Administration, Police Department Ramban, and other civilian agencies also assisted in the early execution of the task.

The Indian Army has restored several vital road links badly affected by incessant rains in Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Udhampur, Reasi, Akhnoor, Rajouri, and Poonch districts. Troops also provided timely relief to people affected by torrential rains, landslides, and flash floods.

Additionally, BRO engineers restored a major portion of the Purnabahadur–Thandikassi Road in Rajouri district. This essential lifeline, connecting several villages and forward Army posts along the Line of Control (LoC), had been washed away due to heavy rains.