Army starts work on Bailey bridge to restore traffic on NH-244
Jammu, Sep 2 (PTI) Braving incessant rains, the Army on Tuesday started the construction of a Bailey bridge along National Highway-244, over the Jangalwar stream, to provide connectivity to Doda and Kishtwar districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
This is the second such bridge being constructed by the Army in the wake of last week’s record rainfall that has left behind a trail of death and destruction in the region.
“Devastating floods in the Jammu region have submerged vast areas, sweeping away homes, bridges and fields. NH-244, the lifeline to Doda and Kishtwar, was washed away near Thatri, crippling mobility and cutting off villages,” the Jammu-based White Knight Corps unit of the Army said in a post on X.
It said the engineer troops of the Army are currently carrying out mobilisation of bridging stores and building a Bailey bridge over Doda’s Jangalwar Nallah, aiming to restore partial connectivity at the earliest.
“Despite challenges of weather and terrain, the bridge construction has commenced in full swing with engineers in close coordination with civil administration. Area protection by troops of White Knight Corps and traffic control by J&K Police are ensuring smooth progress of restoration efforts,” the Army said.
In a 12-hour operation on August 29, Army engineers erected a 110-foot Bailey bridge, connecting the flood-hit Tawi bridge, to restore vehicular traffic on the vital link in Jammu city.
