The bridge is a part of a massive infrastructure development push to boost troop movement in all conditions
India has commissioned a strategically important bridge near the Line of Actual Control (LaC) which will help the armed forces to transport men and heavy military equipment in a record time during exigencies in the cold desert of Ladakh.
Pratham-Shyok bridge, which will connect the region to Karakoram in North Eastern Ladakh, was inaugurated by the Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday. The bridge will provide vital connectivity on the axis of Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Olde (D-S-DBO) road for military transport.
"Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited the forward locations of Leh, Ladakh and Siachen and reviewed the security situation in the area. She also inaugurated a bridge on river Shyok on the road between Durbuk and Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), which was constructed by Border Roads Organisation", said Colonel Rajesh Kalia, defence spokesman at Srinagar.
Located on the 255-km long strategic road on Ladakh's border with China, the 'Pratham-Shyok' bridge is a part of the massive infrastructure development push to boost the road and bridges network on the LAC for better connectivity and troop movement in all weather conditions.
"There is a need for moving heavy equipment and other stores. Pratham-Shyok is a permanent bridge also called load classification of 70 yard, which can take the heaviest load. It is a 60 metre double lane bridge," said a Border Roads Organization (BRO) officer.
The bridge has been constructed in such a way that it can withstand heavy load movement including tanks and artillery. 'Pratham-Shyok' bridge is part of the programme to replace the 24 small bridges by heavier load classification bridges for faster movement and connectivity.
"There are 24 lower load classification equipment bridges which are being replaced by heavier load classification bridges on the stretch to handle the transportation of heavier equipments for faster movement and connectivity. Work is underway on the seven important bridges. The deadline for the seven heavier load classification bridges is 2020 and we are on schedule", he said.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman interacted with the soldiers in the remote areas of Siachen Glacier and conveyed her best wishes on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra. During her visit to Leh, she interacted with the troops of Indian Air Force at Air Force Station Leh.
"During her visit she was accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff, Army Commander, Northern Command and Corps Commander of the Ladakh Corps", said Colonel Kalia.
PRATHAM-SHYOK
- It’s located on the 255-km long strategic road on Ladakh’s border with China
- It can withstand heavy load movement including tanks and artillery
- The bridge will provide vital connectivity on the axis of Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Olde road
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