NEWS – The Indian Army erected a 190-foot Bailey bridge in Wayanad and it has been crucial in facilitating the movement of heavy machinery and ambulances

HIGHLIGHTS

What is a Bailey Bridge?

– A type of modular bridge with pre-built parts for quick assembly

– Originated during World War 2, invented by Donald Coleman Bailey

History of Bailey Bridge

– First used by Allied armies in Italy and northwest Europe (1943-45)

– Praised by British Field Marshal Lord Bernard Law Montgomery as crucial to winning the war

How Bailey Bridge Works

– Pre-fabricated parts include light steel panels and pins for guardrails

– Beams are placed through guardrails to form the deck or path

– Parts lock in for stability, allowing for extension and mobility

Advantages of Bailey Bridge

– Quick assembly and disassembly

– No heavy installation equipment needed

– Ideal for disaster relief situations and wartime use

India and Bailey Bridge

– Inherited from British legacy, used in 1971 war with Pakistan

– Used in various Indian contexts, including:

    – Strategically important village along India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh

    – Uttarakhand in 2021 after flash floods