Uttarakhand floods: BRO builds bridge to restore connectivity to 13 villages
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New Delhi, Mar 6: The Border Roads Organisation ( BRO ) has constructed a 200-foot bridge on Joshimat-Malari road across the Rishiganga river and restored connectivity to 13 border villages in record time in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district affected by last month's flash floods.
Last month on February 7, a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in the Rishiganga river had washed away a 90-metre bridge near Reini village on Joshimat-Malari road located downstream of the Rishi Ganga Hydel project. The bridge was the only link to Niti Border in Chamoli district. The GLOF had also washed away a hydro-electric plant located at the same site. More than 200 workers of the hydro-electric plant were trapped. This had resulted in stranding more than 13 border villages in Chamoli.
BRO swung into action for rescue and rehabilitation work by inducting more than 100 vehicles and equipment including about 15 earth-moving machines like hydraulic excavators and wheel loaders. It also inducted critical equipment with the Air Force help.
“The task was very challenging due to cliff on the bank and 25-30 meters of debris on the home bank and non-availability of working space on either side. BRO overcame these challenges by employing engineering ingenuity,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
Bridge components were collected from Jammu, Pathankot, Nelong and Rimkhim. All this while, BRO teams were involved in the rescue operation working in close coordination with the state authorities.
Further it added, "The BRO swung into action by deploying 20 small teams consisting of 200 personnel of 21 BRTF under Project Shivalik in the affected area for relief and rehabilitation work. More than 100 vehicles/equipment and plants that included 15 Heavy Earth Moving equipment/machinery like Hydraulic Excavators, Dozers, JCBs and Wheel Loaders etc were pressed into service. BRO also inducted critical equipment with the help of Indian Air Force."
The task was very challenging due to the steep cliff on far bank and 25-30 metres debris/muck on the home bank and non-availability of working space on either side. The work on the bridge started on February 25 and it was opened to the public within 9 days, on March 5.
Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry, Director General, BRO, lauded the efforts of the personnel. He complimented the chief engineer and his team who worked continuously for 26 days. He said BRO has named the bridge “The Bridge of Compassion”. He also thanked the state government for support and assistance, and the media for acknowledging the efforts.