The Hindu : National : Chenab bridge a boon for Rajouri-Poonch

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Chenab bridge a boon for Rajouri-Poonch

Luv Puri

Meets the strategic requirements and the needs of the people

— PHOTO: NISSAR AHMAD

VITAL LINK: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurating a bridge over the Chenab in a forward area on Friday. With him are Jammu and Kashmir Governor S.K Sinha (to Dr. Singh’s right), Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, and PDP leader Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.

AKHNOOR: The prestigious Chenab bridge, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday, goes a long way in meeting the strategic requirements and also the needs of the common masses of Rajouri-Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir that adjoin Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

This two-lane, 280-meter-long balanced cantilever bridge provides the long awaited replacement for the existing single-lane multi-span steel bridge of 1932, providing faster and smooth flow of traffic including heavy vehicles.

The bridge, constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO), has been completed in a record time of 22 months by incorporating the latest technologies and best engineering practices. In the aftermath of the 1971 conflict with Pakistan, the requirement of a permanent bridge across this river gained significance and permanent bridging of this gap was considered essential by both the Defence and Civil authorities. Accordingly, a bridge scheme consisting of five spans with three intermediate spans of 46.00 meter and two end spans of 46.50 meter each was finalised and approved in May 1977.

Persistent demand

In 2005, due to the persistent demand of the people of the area and more importantly the strategic requirement of defence, a decision to complete the bridge with no intermediate supports in the water channel was taken and a proposal to construct a 280-meter-long balance cantilever bridge was formulated by the BRO.

Contract

The contract for construction of this bridge was awarded to a private firm for a cost of Rs. 2104.656 lakh on April 27, 2006 to be completed within 20 months. The work was taken up as a fast track project.

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