NEW DELHI – In a significant boost to Indian defence capability near theLadakh region, the country’s government has opened a strategic bridge overShyok River which connects Ladakh with the China border.
The construction work on the bridge has been completed in record time onthe river Shyok, which rises in one of the branches of the Siachen Glacierin the Karakoram. The name of the river ‘Shyok’ also means “The River ofDeath” in the local Ladakhi/Yarkandi language.
The bridge, in eastern Ladakh, will enable the military to speed up thedispatch of forces to the Line of Actual Control- a loosely demarcatedborder between India and China.
This bridge will provide all-weather connectivity to the Indian armedforces as it links Durbuk in Leh to the world highest Advance LandingGround – Daulet Beg Oldie (DBO) – located at an altitude of 16,000 feetabove sea-level.
The bridge has been designed to bear the weight of India’s heaviest69-tonne battle tanks. Besides, any fighter jet can land on the bridgelink,Sputnik has reported.
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“This bridge has been completed in record time. It will not only provideall-weather connectivity in the region but also be a strategic asset in theborder areas,” Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said while dedicatingthe nation the ‘Colonel Chewang Rinchen Bridge’ at Shyok River in Ladakh onMonday.
As per the Indian Defence Ministry, the bride measuring 1,400-feet long isat an altitude of around 13,000 feet. It will cut the journey from 14 hrsto 6.5 hrs.
Indian Defence Minister was delighted to dedicate the newly constructed’Colonel Chewang Rinchen Bridge’ at Shyok River in Ladakh to the nation.
