On July 30, Kerala’s Wayanad district experienced devastating landslides resulting in over 219 deaths by Sunday, August 4, with 206 individuals still missing. The continuous rains in the region posed significant challenges to the rescue and relief operations.
Role of the Indian Army
To address these challenges, the Indian Army’s Madras Engineer Group constructed a “Bailey bridge” on Thursday at Chooralmala to provide access to Mundakkai village, one of the worst-hit areas.
Construction and Utility
The 190-foot Bailey bridge is crucial for the movement of men, heavy machinery, and ambulances. It has a weight-carrying capacity of 24 tonnes and will remain in use until a permanent bridge is built.
Description and Assembly
A Bailey bridge is a modular bridge with pre-built parts requiring minimal construction. This allows for quick assembly when needed.
Historical Background
According to a US Army Engineer School manual, the Bailey bridge was invented by English civil engineer Donald Coleman Bailey during World War II. The British War Office received his first sketch in 1941. The Bailey bridge was designed to be moved, rebuilt, or replaced within hours, even under enemy fire, and was widely used by Allied armies in Italy and northwest Europe from 1943-45. British Field Marshal Lord Bernard Law Montgomery praised the Bailey bridge as a crucial element in winning the war.
Components and Assembly Process
The pre-fabricated parts of a Bailey bridge include light steel panels linked through screw-like pins, forming the guardrails. Workers place beams on these guardrails to create the bridge deck. These beams lock into the guardrails for stability. The bridge can be extended, and the lightness of the parts ensures mobility without needing heavy installation equipment. This is ideal for disaster relief, as parts can be transported in small trucks, useful also during wartime.
Legacy and Usage
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) publication by MR Joshi, Former Director of the Research & Development Establishment (Engineers), highlights that the Indian armed forces inherited a large inventory of Bailey bridges from the British. These bridges were used during the 1971 war with Pakistan for the liberation of Bangladesh.
Strategic Importance
Bailey bridges have also been constructed in strategic locations such as the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh and in Uttarakhand in 2021 after flash floods.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What was the primary challenge faced during the rescue operations in Wayanad district?
- a) Lack of heavy machinery
- b) Continued rains in the region
- c) Inaccessibility of the area
- d) Shortage of medical supplies
- What is the weight-carrying capacity of the Bailey bridge constructed in Chooralmala?
- a) 12 tonnes
- b) 18 tonnes
- c) 24 tonnes
- d) 30 tonnes
- Who invented the Bailey bridge and during which period?
- a) Donald Coleman Bailey during World War II
- b) John Smith during World War I
- c) Robert Johnson during the Korean War
- d) Alan Turing during the Cold War
- What materials are primarily used in the construction of Bailey bridges?
- a) Wood and nails
- b) Concrete and steel
- c) Light steel panels and large pins
- d) Aluminum and rivets
- In which recent locations in India have Bailey bridges been constructed?
- a) Along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh and in Uttarakhand
- b) In the deserts of Rajasthan and Gujarat
- c) Along the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Kerala
- d) In the cities of Mumbai and Delhi