New Delhi, Jan 5 (.) The Engineer Task Force of the Indian Army has constructed a 100-foot Bailey Bridge on B-492 highway, restoring vital road connectivity between Central Province (Kandy) and Uwa Province (Badulla).
The bridge was constructed as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu in response to Cyclonic Storm Ditwah that created havoc in Sri Lanka in December 2025. As part of the humanitarian assistance, the Indian Army is delivering critical engineering support to restore disrupted lines of communication in coordination with the Sri Lankan Army and Road Development Authority (RDA).
Earlier, the task force had constructed a 120-foot dual-carriageway Bailey Bridge on the A-35 Highway in the Jaffna region. The route had been severely affected due to cyclone-induced landslides and the collapse of existing bridges, forcing detours of up to four hours. A dedicated team of 24 highly skilled Indian Army Bridging experts commenced bridge construction on January 4 and, despite adverse weather conditions, launched the complete bridge in just one day, the army spokesperson stated.
This restored bridge has re-established inter-provincial traffic flow, reducing travel time from Kandy to Badulla from four hours to two hours, thereby saving critical time, enabling faster movement of relief material, machinery, essential services and aiding the return of normalcy for affected communities in the hilly region.
The bridge launch was preceded by preparatory strengthening works on both banks to enhance load bearing capacity of the abutments. The ETF effectively employed indigenously developed drones, Laser Range Finders (LRFs) and advanced reconnaissance tools for precision site assessment and continuous monitoring, significantly improving accuracy, safety, efficiency while reducing construction timelines.
Operation SAGAR BANDHU remains a strong testament to India’s role as a reliable First responder and a steadfast partner in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations across the region, the spokesperson added.
. PWS RB 1901