The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has completed a crucial 140-foot Bailey bridge in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, reinstating connectivity between Gulabgarh and the Machail area. Lt Colonel Suneel Bartwal, the Defence Ministry spokesperson, highlighted that the bridge at Chishoti was swiftly built in just 12 days by the 118 Road Construction Company of 35 Border Roads Task Force under Project Sampark. This achievement is described as a remarkable display of engineering prowess and dedication to nation-building.
The new bridge replaces the previous structure that was destroyed during the catastrophic cloudburst on August 14, 2025, which had cut off the sole road link to the remote Machail region. It was virtually inaugurated by Lt Gen PK Mishra, General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps, in the presence of Sunil Kumar Sharma, Leader of the Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly and MLA from Padder–Nagseni. The construction process involved extensive site preparation, abutments, store transportation, Bailey Bridge installation, and the establishment of approach roads under challenging terrain and weather conditions, with technical support from Army Engineers specialists.
Lt Gen Mishra praised the dedication and resilience of the BRO and Army Engineers, emphasizing that the project exemplified the organization’s motto ‘Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam: Everything is Achievable Through Hard Work’. After the cloudburst incident, the Raksha Mantri had announced that BRO would take over the Gulabgarh-Machail road for long-term development and maintenance. The Defence Ministry sanctioned the proposal in March 2026, with formal transfer orders anticipated soon.
The road holds strategic significance, being part of the Kishtwar-Gulabgarh-Kundal-Machail axis, with potential future connectivity through the proposed Umasi La Pass to Nimmu in Ladakh’s Zanskar Valley. Additionally, it serves as the main route to the revered Machail Mata Temple, attracting over three lakh pilgrims annually. Officials noted that the timely completion of the bridge guarantees reliable connectivity ahead of the Machail Mata Yatra in July and reinstates socio-economic lifelines for the residents of the remote region.
