Jammu, June 25: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has restored the crucial road connection between Gulabgarh and Machail in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district by constructing and operationalising a 140-foot Bailey bridge at Chishoti.
The bridge was virtually inaugurated by White Knight Corps Commander Lt Gen P. K. Mishra in the presence of Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly and Padder-Nagseni MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma.
The newly built bridge replaces the previous structure that was washed away during the devastating cloudburst at Chishoti on August 14, 2025, which cut off the only road link to the remote Machail region. The disaster claimed 65 lives, mostly pilgrims, while more than 30 people remain missing.
According to officials, the bridge was completed in just 12 days by the 118 Road Construction Company of the 35 Border Roads Task Force under Project Sampark. The project involved site preparation, construction of bridge supports, transportation of materials, installation of the Bailey bridge, and development of approach roads despite difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions.
Army Engineers also provided technical support during the construction.
Lt Gen Mishra praised BRO personnel and Army Engineers for completing the challenging task in record time, saying the project reflects the organisation’s engineering excellence, operational readiness, and commitment to improving connectivity in remote and strategically important areas.
Officials said the Gulabgarh-Machail road is strategically significant and is expected to become part of the future connectivity corridor through the proposed Umasi La Pass linking Kishtwar with Ladakh’s Zanskar Valley.
The route also serves as the only road to the revered Machail Mata Temple, which attracts more than three lakh pilgrims every year. The timely completion of the bridge will ensure smooth movement of pilgrims during the annual Machail Mata Yatra beginning in July, while also restoring a vital socio-economic lifeline for local residents.
