Construction of the longest steel bridge on Manali-Leh highway completed

Chandigarh: – The construction work of the longest bridge on the strategically important Manali-Leh highway, in Himachal Pradesh, has been completed. This month, the bridge will be opened for traffic. This bridge on the Manali-Leh highway has been named as Barsi Bridge.

After the Colonel Chewang Rinchen Setu, built on the Shyok river at Daulat Beg Oldie, this is the second-longest bridge in India. It took ten years to construct this 360-metre long bridge on the Bhaga River in the Darcha area of Himachal Pradesh. The BRO sources said that it took ten years because of the unpredictable weather and other problems.

The construction of the bridge had been suspended for administrative reasons. The actual construction of the bridge was started only four years ago. Steel has been used in the construction of the bridge. A 100-metre long bridge has been constructed on the same road, which connects to the Atal Tunnel. Before this, there was a small bridge on the river. But the vehicular movement would be disrupted if the water level in the river increased. Therefore, the decision to construct this bridge had been taken.

India has developed this new highway to facilitate military movement from Manali to Leh. The construction of the third phase of the highway will soon be completed. With this new 280-kilometre road, swift movement of military contingents, weapons as well as other essential commodities will be possible. Therefore, the completion of bridge construction becomes necessary.