BRO restores vital road link in J-K’s Kishtwar with construction of new bailey bridge
The bridge was inaugurated virtually on Thursday by White Knight Corps Commander Lieutenant General PK Mishra in the presence of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly opposition leader and Padder-Nagseni MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma, officials said.
They said the triple-double reinforced siding bridge replaced the previous structure, which was washed away by a devastating downpour on August 14, 2025, cutting off the only road link to the remote Machail district.
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On August 14 last year, the heavy rain that occurred in Chisoti village, the entrance gate of the Machail Mata temple in Kishtwar district, killed 65 people, most of them pilgrims, while more than 30 people are still missing.
According to officials, the new bridge was built in 12 days by 118 Road Construction Companies (RCC) of 35 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) under the Sampark Project.
It was stated that the work included comprehensive site preparation, construction of abutments, transportation of bridge depots, construction of the bailey bridge and development of approach roads in difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions. The Army Corps of Engineers also provided technical expertise and support during the execution of the project.
Lauding the efforts of BRO personnel and Army Engineers, Lt. Gen. Mishra lauded their dedication, resilience and professionalism in completing the challenging mission in an exceptionally short time frame.
He said the restoration of connectivity reflects BRO’s operational readiness, engineering capability and commitment to serve people in remote and strategically important areas.
Mishra said the achievement embodies BRO’s motto “Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam (Everything can be achieved through hard work)”.
Gulabgarh-Machail road has been identified to be taken over by BRO, following the announcement made by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on August 24, 2025, officials said. The proposal received operational approval from the Ministry of Defense in March this year, while formal transfer orders are awaited.
While the handover was awaited, the Sampark Project took up the construction of the bailey bridge based on the civic administration’s stipulated requirement to restore immediate connectivity to Machail.
The Gulabgarh-Machail road forms part of the strategically important Kishtwar-Gulabgarh-Kundal-Machail axis and has potential for future connectivity through the proposed Umasi La Pass connecting the district to Nimmu in Ladakh’s Zanskar Valley.
Apart from its strategic importance, the route serves as the main access route to the revered Machail Mata temple, an important pilgrimage destination in Jammu and Kashmir. More than three lakh devotees visit the shrine every year.
Officials said timely completion of the bridge will ensure uninterrupted connectivity ahead of the annual Machail Mata Yatra, which is scheduled to begin in July. “Apart from facilitating the movement of pilgrims, the bridge is expected to restore socio-economic lifelines for remote residents and increase mobility in the sensitive border region.”
The successful construction and commissioning of the bridge marks a milestone for BRO and reflects effective civil-military coordination in repairing critical infrastructure in difficult terrain, officials added.
