India hands over third consignment of Bailey bridges to Sri Lanka under $450 mn cyclone aid
India has handed over the third consignment of Bailey bridges to Sri Lanka to support the reconstruction of rural roads severely damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, officials said on August 9.
The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka confirmed through a post on X that the latest delivery, weighing over 250 metric tonnes, was handed over on August 8 as part of India's $450 million post-disaster reconstruction package for the island nation.
"The next set of Bailey Bridges, weighing over 250 MT, was handed over by the Deputy High Commissioner @Maitrey_K to Hon. Upali Samarasinghe, Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development, Sri Lanka," the post stated.
The High Commission further noted that these bridges 'reconnect communities and rebuild lives,' adding that Indian Army engineers will install them across the island, helping restore vital connectivity and strengthen infrastructure.
According to Sri Lanka's Ministry of Transport, this third donation includes five modular Bailey bridges valued at over $5 million, following two previous consignments supplied by India.
The $450 million reconstruction package was announced on December 23, 2025, during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to Sri Lanka. It consists of $350 million in concessional Lines of Credit and $100 million in grants. The assistance is aimed at rebuilding critical infrastructure destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah, which struck in November 2025.
Cyclone Ditwah was one of the worst disasters in Sri Lanka's recent history. It triggered floods and landslides that killed more than 640 people and left 173 missing. The storm also caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, and other public utilities, disrupting normal life and economic activity across the island.
In the aftermath, India launched 'Operation Sagar Bandhu' on November 28, 2025, to provide relief and recovery assistance. The operation focused on restoring connectivity in the worst-hit areas. The Bailey bridge consignments are part of this sustained effort to rebuild critical transport links.
In December, Sri Lanka's parliamentary oversight committee was informed that the Road Development Authority incurred losses of nearly SLR 75 billion due to the destruction caused by the cyclone. The modular bridges from India are expected to provide temporary but robust crossings for rural communities cut off by the disaster.
India's Neighbourhood First policy emphasizes timely and comprehensive support to partner countries during crises. The provision of Bailey bridges is a practical example of this approach, enabling quick restoration of essential transport infrastructure without lengthy construction periods.
Bailey bridges are prefabricated steel truss bridges that can be assembled quickly without heavy equipment, making them well-suited for emergency response and post-disaster reconstruction. These bridges are particularly suited for challenging terrain and can be installed with minimal engineering support. Their deployment will enable the movement of people, goods, and emergency vehicles, facilitating recovery in remote regions.
India's assistance underlines the close ties between the two neighbours and the long-standing policy of extending timely support to friends in distress. The handover ceremony was attended by officials from both governments, and the bridges are expected to be installed in the coming weeks.
This is the third such consignment, reflecting India's continued commitment to helping Sri Lanka recover from the calamity. The cooperation also highlights the broader regional partnership and efforts to enhance mutual resilience against natural disasters. The assistance has been widely appreciated in Sri Lanka, where many communities remain cut off due to damaged infrastructure.
