Indian Army Constructs 190-Ft-Long Bailey Bridge In Landslide-Hit Wayanad In Record Time: WATCH
The Indian Army started constructing the bailey bridge on July 31 at 9 PM and it was completed on August 5:30 PM, within 16 hours.
The Indian Army on Thursday completed the construction of a Bailey bridge, connecting the landslide-hit Chooralmala and Mundakai in Wayanad, Kerala. The 190-ft-long bridge has been constructed to boost rescue operation in the region and has a weight capacity of 24 tonne.
Its construction was started on July 31 at 9 PM and it was completed on August 5:30 PM, within 16 hours.
Lauding the Army's efforts of building the bridge in record time, Defence Spokesperson, Trivandrum, wrote on X: "Kudos to Maj Seeta Shelke & her team of Madras Engineers Group of Indian Army, who went beyond all kind of challenges & built the 190 ft long bridge with 24 Ton capacity in 16 hours in Wayanad Started at 9 pm on 31 July & completed at 5:30 pm on 1 Aug."
Kudos to Maj Seeta Shelke & her team of #MadrasEngineersGroup of #IndianArmy who went beyond all kind of challenges & built the 190ft long bridge with 24 Ton capacity in 16 hours in #Wayanad Started at 9 pm on 31 July & completed at 5:30 pm on 1 Aug. @giridhararamane #OPMADAD pic.twitter.com/QDa6yOt6Z2
— PRO Defence Trivandrum (@DefencePROTvm) August 1, 2024
Though the bridge was supposed to be completed by 12 noon today, heavy rain disrupted the efforts of the Army, delaying the construction.
The bridge is built with a pier in the middle of the river due to its length.
The Southern Command of the Indian Army also hailed the force for completing the daunting task, despite the adverse weather conditions and restricted time.
"Inclement weather, raising water levels, debris, restricted space seems like a daunting task for rescue for many but not for #IndianArmy. Madras Sappers displaying indomitable spirit, never say die attitude and supreme commitment in the relief operations completed 190ft Bailey Bridge in a record time and facilitated furtherance of rescue operations. Kudos to IndianArmy and the valiant Thambis working day and night in times of adversity," it wrote on X.
In the visuals of the bridge, the Army can be seen undertaking the bridge's construction. Pictures of the fully-constructed bridge were also shared by the Army.
#WayanadLandslides
— Southern Command INDIAN ARMY (@IaSouthern) August 1, 2024
Inclement weather, raising water levels, debris, restricted space seems like a daunting task for rescue for many but not for #IndianArmy. #MadrasSappers displaying indomitable spirit, never say die attitude and supreme commitment in the relief operations… pic.twitter.com/l7kqLvzoOY
The materials for the construction of the bridge were transported to Chooralmala from Delhi and Bengaluru.
After being flown into Kannur, the materials were taken to Wayanad from the airport by 17 trucks, led by the Motor Vehicles Department, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced at a press conference.
A bailey bridge is a temporary bridge that is made of pre-fabricated steel panels, which can be assembled rapidly, in situations similar to that prevailing in Wayanad that arose after it was hit by massive landslides triggered by rain.
Earlier today, Leader of Oppostion in Lok Sabha and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi visited Wayanad along with his sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi. Here, they met the injured people at the VIMS Hospital, and also visited a relief camp at St Jospeh UP School to meet the other survivors. The death toll has reached 167, including women and children.
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