Coming Up Soon: India's Longest Steel Bridge

The mountain state of Himachal Pradesh is becoming quite the hub of architectural and engineering wonders. The world's longest high altitude tunnel was just inaugurated. Now the state is all set for the longest steel bridge on the Manali-Leh highway this month.

It will not only ease traffic flow but is also expected to help increase load-carrying ability. The bridge, spanning 360m, took around 10 years to build. 

It is a steel truss structure and has a load-bearing super structure made of a rigid assembly of steel beams. The bridge also has abutments on both the ends and the length is held by five piers emerging from the river bed.

The project has been completed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) that has also constructed the 100m steel truss bridge that links the north gate of the high altitude tunnel.

There were some challenges that were faced during the construction of the Manali-Leh bridge, like the difficult terrain, limited working season and inclement weather during winters. 

The current record of the longest bridge in India is held by Col Chewang Rinchen Setu on Shyok river, enroute the world’s highest landing ground in Ladakh at Daulat Beg Oldie. The second in line is Barsi Bridge which runs over Bhaga river at Darcha.