As reconstruction efforts continue following Cyclone Ditwah, India has dispatched a consignment of 10 Bailey bridges to Colombo aboard INS Gharial to support the restoration of critical connectivity in Sri Lanka.
Sharing details in a post on X, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the supply of bridges forms part of India’s USD 450 million Special Economic Package, announced during the recent visit of Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to Sri Lanka.
“India continues to stand with Sri Lanka to support reconstruction efforts after #CycloneDitwah. To assist the restoration of critical connectivity, a consignment of 10 Bailey Bridges was despatched today from Visakhapatnam to Colombo onboard #INSGharial,” the MEA said, adding that the assistance follows India’s emergency Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) support under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka late last year, caused widespread flooding, landslides, and extensive damage to infrastructure, overwhelming local disaster-response mechanisms.
Earlier in January, the Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force successfully constructed the third Bailey Bridge, measuring 120 feet, at KM 15 on the B-492 Highway in Sri Lanka. Located in the Central Province, the bridge reconnects the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, restoring a vital transport link that had remained disrupted for over a month due to the cyclone.
This followed the earlier successful construction of two Bailey bridges in the Jaffna and Kandy regions. Together, these engineering efforts have restored road connectivity, improved access to essential services, and provided much-needed relief to communities affected by the disaster.
Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched in November 2025, enabled India to deliver urgent HADR assistance, including the restoration of roads, bridges, and essential services. By rapidly re-establishing connectivity along the B-492 Highway, the Indian Army has not only eased daily life for affected communities but also strengthened bilateral ties and goodwill between India and Sri Lanka.
Source: ANI
