Rs 23 cr bridge over Chenab set for commissioning

Jammu, Mar 20 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt General S K Sinha (Retd) today visited Akhnoor and inspected Rs 23 crore state-of-the-art bridge over Chenab river.

The unique feature of the 280-metre-bridge, which makes it first in the country, is that its pair to pair distance is 160 metres. The end spans of the bridge are 60 metres long each. The overall width of the bridge is 12 metres -- two lanes with footpath at each side.

It has been constructed using segmental construction technique and is supported with bearings. It has four shock transmission units imported from France, which takes care of shock effect or earthquake.

Lt Gen Sinha took keen interest in the briefing that covered various stages of the bridge, which was no less a challenge for the engineers, and congratulated the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for splendid work.

He walked quite a distance over the bridge and discussed its various aspects with the engineers.

The Governor was also given a model demonstration of the construction and shown the vivid progress of its various stages.

The work on this bridge, which is all set for commissioning, had been taken up way back in 1979 and had to be abandoned due to technical snags. Again in 1986, the construction was taken up but could not proceed ahead due to one or the other technical reasons.

Ultimately, the BRO took over the job in April 2006 and accomplished it last month.

UNI VJ SR RK1759