Rajnath inaugurates India’s highest bridge in Ladakh
LEH (LADAKH): Col Chewang Rinchen Setu inaugurated by defence minister Rajnath Singh is India’s highest altitude allweather permanent bridge, located in eastern Ladakh at nearly 45 km from the country’s border with China.
After opening the bridge on Monday, Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to bolster border infrastructure to effectively deal with any threats the country might face.
The 1400-ft -long bridge on
Shyok River, situated in Sub-sector North at 14,650 ft and christened after ‘Lion of Ladakh’ Col Chewang Rinchen was dedicated to the nation in his memory at a ceremony held next to it, which was also attended by Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat and daughter and granddaughter of the late highly-decorated army officer, who was awarded Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) twice.
The bridge, officially named ‘Col Chewang Rinchen Setu’ is strategically located on the 255-km Darbuk-shayok-daulat Beg Oldie (DSDBO) section of the road between Leh and Karakoram Pass.
The bridge’s superstructure is called ‘Extra Wide Bailey Bridge’ and its has 10 spans of 140 ft each and its width is 4.25 m, said senior officials of the Border Roads Organisation which built it in 15 months. It will reduce time of travel by nearly half.
“It is matter of great pride that we are dedicating this bridge to the nation, situated in one of the strategic locations of the country, closer to the border with China. And, I pay my respects to Col Chewang Rinchen, after whom the bridge has been named,” Singh said in his address at the event.
This structure is also a symbol of the valour, patience and courage of our soldiers and engineers and other workers of the BRO who work in extreme weather conditions and inhospitable terrains at very high altitudes where the mercury can dip to several notches below zero.
“This bridge was made not just with steel and concrete, but also with the sweat and valour of BRO’S engineers and workers,” the minister said. The minister inaugurated the bridge by first cracking open a coconut in front of the plaque which he then unveiled and cut a red ribbon to officially signify its opening.
Singh, Gen Rawat and a group of other officials also took a ride across the bridge before heading back to the Thoise airfield on way back to Delhi.