140-feet Bailey Bridge reconnects remote region ahead of Yatra
Jammu Tawi, Jun 25 : In a major infrastructure achievement showcasing engineering excellence and rapid response capability, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has restored road connectivity between Gulabgarh and Machail by operationalizing a 140-foot Triple Double Reinforced Bailey Bridge at Chishoti in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the details available, the restoration marks the end of a prolonged disruption caused by the devastating cloudburst of 14 August 2025, which washed away the existing bridge at Chishoti and severed the only road link to the remote Machail region.
The newly constructed bridge was virtually inaugurated and dedicated to the nation by Lt Gen PK Mishra, General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps, in the presence of Sunil Kumar Sharma, Leader of the Opposition, Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, MLA, Padder–Nagseni Constituency.
The project was executed by 118 Road Construction Company (RCC) of 35 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) under Project Sampark. The operation involved extensive site preparation, construction of abutments, transportation of bridging stores, launching of the Bailey Bridge and development of approach roads under extremely challenging terrain and weather conditions. Technical expertise and support from Army Engineers played a crucial role in the successful completion of the task.
Commending the efforts of BRO personnel and Army Engineers, Lieutenant General Mishra praised their dedication, professionalism and resilience in restoring the vital link within an exceptionally short timeframe. He said the accomplishment reflected the spirit of BRO’s motto, “Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam” (Everything is Achievable Through Hard Work).
The restoration assumes added significance in the backdrop of the tragic cloudburst disaster that struck the Machail route last year. The August 2025 calamity triggered flash floods and landslides along the Kishtwar–Machail axis, resulting in multiple fatalities and extensive damage to roads, bridges and public infrastructure. Several people lost their lives after being swept away by raging floodwaters, while hundreds of pilgrims and local residents were stranded as connectivity to the region collapsed.
Following the disaster, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on August 24, 2025, announced that the strategically important Gulabgarh–Machail road would be taken over by BRO for long-term development and maintenance. The proposal received operational approval from the Ministry of Defence in March 2026, while formal transfer orders are awaited. Pending the transfer, Project Sampark undertook the bridge construction on the request of the civil administration to restore immediate access to Machail.
The Gulabgarh–Machail road forms a crucial segment of the Kishtwar–Gulabgarh–Kundal–Machail axis and holds strategic importance due to its future connectivity potential through the proposed Umasi La Pass linking the region with Padam-Nimmu in Ladakh’s Zanskar Valley.
Apart from its strategic value, the road serves as the primary access route to the revered Machail Mata Temple, one of the most prominent pilgrimage destinations in Jammu and Kashmir. More than three lakh devotees visit the shrine annually, making uninterrupted connectivity essential for both pilgrims and local communities.
The timely completion of the bridge comes ahead of the annual Machail Mata Yatra scheduled to commence next month. Officials said the restored link will not only facilitate smooth pilgrimage movement but also revive socio-economic activity and improve accessibility for residents of the remote mountainous region.
The successful construction and launching of the 140-foot Bailey Bridge at Chishoti stands as a landmark achievement for BRO and highlights the effectiveness of coordinated civil-military efforts in overcoming infrastructure challenges in difficult Himalayan terrain. It also symbolizes the resilience of the people of Kishtwar and Machail in rebuilding after one of the region’s worst natural disasters in recent years.
