Professor Spent 17 Years: The Chenab Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir stands as the highest railway bridge in the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it on Friday. Authorities approved the project in 2003 as part of the 272-kilometer Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL).

Professor G Madhavi Latha played a key role in the bridge’s successful construction. As a professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, she served as a geotechnical consultant on the Chenab Bridge project for 17 years. Working closely with Afcons, the bridge’s contractor, G Madhavi Latha planned, designed, and built the structure while addressing the challenges posed by the difficult topography.

Who Is G Madhavi Latha?

She currently teaches HAG at IISc. In 1992, Dr. Latha earned a first-class degree with distinction in Civil Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. She won a gold medal while pursuing her M.Tech in Geotechnical Engineering at the National Institute of Technology, Warangal.

In 2000, Dr. Latha completed her doctorate in geotechnical engineering from IIT Madras. Over the years, she has received numerous honors, including the Indian Geotechnical Society’s Best Woman Geotechnical Researcher award in 2021. In 2022, India recognized her as one of the Top 75 Women in STEM.

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Role In Chenab Bridge Project:

The team faced tough challenges building the Chenab Bridge due to severe topography, harsh weather, and the remote location. Dr. Latha and her team overcame every obstacle by adopting a “design-as-you-go” approach. Early surveys missed key geological features like broken rocks, hidden caverns, and varying rock qualities, which forced the team to innovate in real time.

During construction, the team adapted their plans based on the actual rock conditions they encountered, applying complex calculations and modifying designs as needed. Dr. Latha contributed expert advice on the layout and placement of rock anchors to improve stability. She recently published her work, Design as You Go: The Case Study of Chenab Railway Bridge, in the women’s special issue of the Indian Geotechnical Journal. Her study explains how the bridge’s design evolved, with only its overall structure, location, and type remaining constant to suit the site’s geological conditions.

Also Read: 5 Key Facts About the World’s Highest Railway Arch Bridge

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