Video: Army builds 90-ft Bailey bridge in Uttarkashi to reconnect flood-hit areas

The Indian Army, in a swift mission in the cloudburst-hit Dharali area of Uttarakhand, has constructed a crucial Bailey bridge, restoring connectivity to cut-off regions and facilitating the transport of rescue teams and relief supplies to stranded residents.

The bridge, built jointly by the Army and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) after an overnight operation, now awaits the construction of approach roads to allow vehicles to reach Dharali, where four people were killed, and scores remain missing and stranded after a flash flood washed away the village days ago.

Located along the Gangotri National Highway, the Bailey bridge spans the Limchagad between Gangnani and Dharali. With a load capacity of nearly 50 tonnes, it is expected to significantly aid rescue operations in the challenging Himalayan terrain.

“It is a 90-foot triple-single Bailey bridge. The work is almost complete, with only minor finishing tasks pending, which will be done shortly,” BRO Commander KVN Raja Kumar told India Today at the site, just before construction was completed.

Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli said that until the approach roads are repaired, horses and mules should be used to transport essential supplies to the affected villages. He has also directed officials to ensure the supply of 2,000 litres of diesel per day to Dharali and to facilitate the delivery of LPG cylinders to those impacted.

Authorities are also clearing blockages along the highway at Songad, Dabrani, Harsil, and Dharali on a war footing. However, heavy rains on Sunday morning hampered helicopter evacuations of stranded people.

Since evacuation efforts began on Wednesday, more than 1,000 people had been airlifted by Saturday evening from around Dharali and Harsil, where an Army camp also suffered damage in the flash floods, leaving nine personnel missing.

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Inputs by Anjilee Istwal in Dharali

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