Hardeep Jamwal, JNM Journalist, Jammu
There is welcome news for devotees of Machail Mata. Ahead of the upcoming Machail Mata Yatra, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has restored the pilgrimage route by constructing a 140-foot-long ‘Triple-Double Reinforced’ Bailey Bridge in record time. This achievement brings immense relief to lakhs of pilgrims and local residents.
It is worth noting that the old bridge had been washed away following a cloudburst in the Chishoti area on August 14, 2025, completely severing connectivity to the Machail Valley. This had caused severe hardships for locals regarding daily necessities and for pilgrims attempting the journey.
Under the BRO’s ‘Project Sampark’, the 118 RCC team of the 35 BRTF constructed the modern 140-foot Bailey Bridge in just 12 days, overcoming challenging mountainous terrain and adverse weather conditions. BRO personnel and Army engineers worked round-the-clock to successfully complete this demanding task.
The bridge was inaugurated virtually by Lieutenant General P.K. Mishra, GOC of the White Knight Corps. Sunil Kumar Sharma, MLA for Padder-Nagseni and Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, was also present on the occasion. Officials stated that the BRO has once again demonstrated that development projects can be executed rapidly even in the country’s most remote and difficult regions.
Every year, approximately three lakh pilgrims use this route to visit Machail Mata. The construction of the bridge has not only restored the pilgrimage route but will also normalize the movement of essential services and access to education, healthcare, and trade in the area.
Applauding the BRO’s achievement, locals remarked that the bridge is not merely a construction project but a lifeline for the entire Machail region. The completion of the bridge before the pilgrimage season is nothing short of a major gift for both the devotees and the local community.
