In a significant development, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has scripted history by building a 180-feet bailey bridge in Jauljibi sector of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand in just 9 days despite frequent landslides and heavy rains.
The purpose of constructing the bridge is to bring free bridge connectivity to about 15,000 people in 20 villages.
“On 27 July a cloudburst hit Jauljibi sector of Pithoragarh district and major landslide occurred on Jauljibi-Munsiyari road. A 50-meter span concrete bridge was completely washed out. Border Road Organisation completed a 180 ft bailey bridge on August 16,” said Defence Ministry.
Surprisingly, BRO constructed the bridge in a record 9 days time. The 50-metre span concrete bridge had collapsed on July 27 when cloudburst hit the area and the nallas and rivers were flooded.
Many fatalities were also reported here due to the landslide and road communication was also broken. The BRO mobilised its bridging resources and set up to construct a 180-feet-long bailey bridge. The biggest challenge was to transport the required resources to the site from Pithoragarh amidst frequent landslides and heavy rains.
The construction of the bridge was successfully completed on August 16, this has brought relief to flood-affected villages and has also connected Jauljibi to Munsiyari.
This connectivity will unlock new opportunities for about 20 villages and an estimated population of 15,000. The constructed bridge has resumed road communication of 66-kilometre road starting from Jauljibi to Munsiyari.
Local MP Ajay Tamta had expressed his concern over the worst affected villages of Lumti and Mori at the distance of 25 kilometres from Jauljibi where maximum deaths occurred. This bridge will provide essential support in rehabilitating the villages here.
