Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today virtually inaugurated Bailey Bridge on the Ramban-Gool Road. The Lieutenant Governor dedicated the bridge to the people of Ramban.
He expressed gratitude to the brave engineers of the Army who had worked tirelessly and under challenging conditions to build the Bailey Bridge.
“The bridge is a symbol of hope and lifeline for around 1.5 lakh people living in Ramban, Sangaldan, and Gool areas. It will boost connectivity and enhance the ease of living.
Recent natural calamities had severely impacted lives, leading to infrastructure damage, economic hardships and disruption on important route 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 Indian Army has also given a new hope to this entire region,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor also congratulated the Indian Army and civil administration on the occasion.
He said the bridge will restore the connectivity between Ramban, Sangaldan, Gool and surrounding 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 added.
Maj Gen APS Bal, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Delta Force; Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Mohammad Alyas Khan, Deputy Commissioner Ramban; Brig K Arun, Commander 11 Sector RR; Shridhar Patil, DIG Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range, senior officials of Army, Civil and Police Administration attended the inaugural ceremony.
Due to recent incessant rainfall in Ramban district, a vital stretch of the Karol–Maitra Road, an important artery connecting Ramban district with mainland was washed away. This road is critical for linking government establishments and villages and its loss disrupted daily life, stranding locals and vehicles. The District Administration requested assistance from the Indian Army for urgent restoration of connectivity.
The washed-away site was located nearly 20 metres above the Chenab River under unstable cliffs. Accordingly, a team from the White Knight Engineers was deployed and they executed the launch of a 150-Foot Triple Panel Double Storey Extra Wide Reinforced Bailey Bridge, designed to ensure heavy traffic bearing capacity. BRO, NHAI, District Administration & Police Department Ramban and other civilian agencies assisted in early execution of task.
These sustained efforts including construction of the bridge provided timely medical, veterinary and food supply across remote locations, which showcased that Indian Army stands shoulder to shoulder with the people it serves. Each bridge rebuilt, each camp conducted, each family helped, strengthened the bond of faith and confidence between the Armed Forces and local communities.