Mumbai, July 3 -- The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has restored road connectivity between Gulabgarh and Machail by commissioning a 140-foot triple double reinforced Bailey Bridge at Chishoti after a cloudburst on 14 August 2025 destroyed the original structure and severed the sole road link to the remote Machail area. The bridge was constructed in 12 days by the 118 Road Construction Company of the 35 Border Roads Task Force under Project Sampark.
The bridge was virtually inaugurated and dedicated to the nation by Lieutenant General PK Mishra, General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps, alongside Sunil Kumar Sharma, Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and MLA for Padder-Nagseni Constituency. Technical support from Army engineers supported the operation and civil administration requirements guided the immediate restoration works.
Construction involved extensive site preparation, abutment works, transportation of materials, launching of the bridge and development of approach roads across challenging terrain and weather. The effort reflected BRO and Army engineering personnel applying rigorous standards, resilience and professionalism to restore essential connectivity for residents and services in this sensitive border district.
The Defence Minister had announced on 24 August 2025 that the Gulabgarh-Machail road would be taken over by the BRO for long term development and maintenance, and the Ministry of Defence granted operational approval in March 2026 with formal transfer orders to follow. Meanwhile Project Sampark proceeded with the Bailey Bridge to address immediate needs and enable movement ahead of the Machail Mata Yatra in July.
The road forms part of the Kishtwar-Gulabgarh-Kundal-Machail axis with strategic value and potential future connectivity via the proposed Umasi La Pass to Nimmu in Ladakh's Zanskar Valley. Besides strategic importance, the route is the primary access to the Machail Mata Temple, which attracts over 300,000 devotees annually, and the bridge is expected to restore vital socio-economic links for local communities.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.