Kolkata, 17 July (H.S.):
In a major boost to India’s border infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) have jointly constructed a critical modular steel bridge on the strategic road leading to the Gogra-Hot Springs area in Ladakh.
The 280-foot-long double-lane bridge was launched on July 10 at km 72.625 on the Phobrang–Marsimik La–Hot Springs Road and has been formally handed over to BRO’s Project Himank. The bridge comprises two modular spans of 140 feet each and was installed within just 20 days—an unprecedented feat in such high-altitude, inhospitable terrain.
A senior GRSE official stated on Thursday that this is the first time in the country that a dual-span modular bridge of this scale has been erected in such a short duration. Built using fully indigenous technology, the bridge is a significant step forward in the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative.
The bridge will facilitate seamless movement of troops and military equipment to forward posts in the strategically sensitive area, enhancing India's operational preparedness along the contested India-China border. The region had witnessed a military standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in 2020, and while both sides have since disengaged, the issue of patrolling rights remains unresolved.
GRSE, under its memorandum of understanding with the BRO, has so far supplied 56 modular bridges across the country, many in high-altitude and strategically vital regions. The new bridge is 7.5 meters wide, allowing for two-way traffic, and meets all specifications set by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Constructed with E-410 grade high-tensile galvanized steel, the bridge is built to withstand extreme cold and ensures long service life with minimal maintenance. Designed to the IRC 70R load classification, it can support heavy military vehicles weighing up to 100/70 metric tonnes, both wheeled and tracked.
The modular design ensures that individual components can be transported even to remote, rugged locations and assembled within 30 to 45 days. These bridges, initially developed for disaster management, are now being exported to friendly neighboring countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka—reflecting India’s growing stature in defense manufacturing.
In August 2022, GRSE became the only Indian entity to receive 'Green Channel Certification' from the Indian Army for its portable steel (Bailey-type) bridges, underscoring its innovation and commitment to indigenous defense infrastructure solutions.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
