Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates Pratham-Shyok bridge in Leh
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today inaugurated the Pratham-Shyok bridge that will link Leh to Karakoram, providing connectivity on the strategically important Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Olde axis for military transport.
Addressing the officers and personnel of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in Leh, the defence minister, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, said the construction of bridges and roads at such high-altitude terrain was nothing short of a miracle.
Ms Sitharaman said, the state-of-the-art bridge is a major development on the Shyok Gong river which will enhance travel of locals as well as the Army in this strategic region.
She said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government fully supported the jawans who protect the nation under all circumstances. Recalling the prime minister’s visit to Siachen where he spent time with soldiers, she said the goverment wanted to understand the conditions the jawans live in.
The Defence Minister also laid wreath at War Memorial in Siachen Base Camp this afternoon.
Yesterday she visited the forward areas in the Valley. She was briefed about the robust counter-infiltration posture along the Line of Control in north Kashmir region.
Defence Minister accompanied by Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat visited the Chinar Corps in Badami Bagh Srinagar. Ms Sitharaman also met Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Governor NN Vohra in Srinagar last evening and discussed the security situation in the state.
This is her first visit to J&K after assuming the charge as Defence Minister.(Agencies)
