Bridge@Syhok 2013 by Ritesh Arya on way to Chumtash

In 2013 I was asked by CO 13 Engineers Regiment to explore and develop groundwater in Chumtash and adjoining post. I along with officers of 13 Engineers started our journey to the wonderful destination.  After starting from Karu we stopped for night halt in Tangsay 114 Infantry Brigade.  I had explored and drilled groundwater in Tangsay and Durbuk since 2003-4 and all wells were working well.  In the morning we resumed our journey to Chumtash as we moved from Durbuk to Shyok I could see the remnants of the Pangong Tso river paleochannel very well all along the roadside. In fact, the entire road was cut along the paleochannel. Today a small stream runs along the road in the once-mighty river. Why the river dried has already been discussed in a separate section on Pangong Tso lake. 

On reaching Shyok I was mesmerized the point of confluence of Pangang Tso River with Shyok was telling me lot of stories of their glorious past. Shyok is also known as the sorrow of  Ladakh because of the unpredictable nature. We just had a glance and started moving there was a GREF workshop and they were doing some road work.  This was also the road that connected the Nubra valley downstream with the Tangsay valley. But now I was moving in an upward direction towards the mouth of Shyok. I was amazed to learn there was no habitation all along the track to Chumtash. The entire journey was along the Shyok river, with some wonderful geological and geomorphological structure but we were driving and driving. We reached 120  milestone,  A suitable site was selected for drilling and developing the groundwater. Having driven for long all along Shyok without road, The journey was tough but the entire stretch was geologically fascinating.  Once we were moving towards 150point we were on our own again most of the time we were moving all along the Shyok bed. The officer told us that we have to be fast as they have only 2 months 2 complete the supply chain. 2 months yes he said. After 2 months the Shyok is very unpredictable and the flow is too high as a result the entire Shyok river is flooded with water and the movement of a vehicle is restricted and not possible on the ground. So we have to meet all the stores for army in these 2 months the glaciers start melting in June July and then the supply has to be taken care of by helicopters. It was very difficult to understand intitally but when I reached 150point I realized that the way to  Chumtash was on the other side of Shyok.  The entire stretch of Shyok was to be crossed to go to Chumtash and beyond. We stopped at 150point the officer was also given the task to find a solution of making a bridge to cross the Shyok.  The span was big and time was very small every year they would come up with this problem but they were not able to find a solution. I studied the entire area and planned the entire axis. But how are we going to execute it. He I told him we will use drilling and grouting to make the platform. And use multiple drilling rigs. to complete the project. once the platform is ready building a bridge should not be a problem. The idea was very new and out of the box. and he felt that this could probably be the only solution. I was very happy to give the solution. 

We went ahead with the primary aim of proving water to the people of Chumtash. Now this journey was a steep I was furious becuase our drilling rigs were very bigsn