Latest news with #MadhaviLatha
India Today
a day ago
- India Today
Stability, resistance, long-lasting: The incredible engineering behind Chenab bridge
The Chenab Bridge, now standing as the world's highest railway arch bridge in Jammu & Kashmir, is a marvel of India's engineering prowess and 359 metres above the Chenab River and spanning a breathtaking 1,315 metres, the bridge is taller than the Eiffel Tower and connects the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India by construction has been hailed as one of the country's most ambitious infrastructure projects, overcoming formidable geological, logistical, and technical challenges. According to a press statement issued by the railway ministry, flight pilots are making special announcements and passengers are showing eagerness to capture photographs of the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway-arch bridge. ( PTI Photo) advertisementEngineering and Design Innovations The bridge's design is a unique steel arch, the first of its kind in India. With no existing national codes for such structures, engineers relied on international best practices, notably the British Standard BS: team led by Professor Madhavi Latha worked on the main arch that spans 469 metres, supported by two massive 130-metre-high pylons, and features 17 spans in structure is built to withstand extreme conditions: wind speeds up to 260 km/h, seismic activity up to magnitude 8, and temperatures as low as -20C. To ensure resilience, the bridge uses 63mm-thick blast-proof steel and concrete pillars designed to resist explosions and terrorist threats. Construction Challenges and SolutionsConstructing in the rugged Himalayan terrain posed unprecedented challenges. Access was so difficult that initial transport of materials relied on mules and time, temporary roads—11 km on the north bank and 12 km on the south—were built to facilitate the movement of heavy machinery and construction equipment. The project required 25,000 tonnes of steel, 4,000 tonnes of reinforced steel, and 46,000 cubic metres of of the most critical aspects was ensuring the stability of the steep slopes. Prof. G Madhavi Latha from IISc Bengaluru played a pivotal role, advising on slope stability and foundation design, adapting to the unpredictable Himalayan geology with a 'design-as-you-go' approach. A newly-inaugurated Vande Bharat Express train crosses the Chenab Bridge, in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, Saturday, June 7, 2025. (PTI Photo) Technological and Safety FeaturesThe bridge's construction used the world's tallest crossbar cable cranes and specialized heavy techniques were employed for the arch erection, with both banks gradually building towards the centre until the arch was joined at the crown in April 2021—a moment of triumph for the protect against corrosion, a special paint with a 15-year lifespan was applied, far exceeding the standard for Indian railway bridges. An advanced online monitoring and warning system ensures passenger safety, and aerial security measures are in place to safeguard the a projected lifespan of 120 years, the Chenab bridge stands as a symbol of India's resolve to conquer its most formidable challenges with ingenuity and courage. The project's success is a tribute to the collaboration of Indian and international experts, and a beacon of progress for the nation's infrastructure InMust Watch
India.com
2 days ago
- Science
- India.com
Meet Woman Who Played Important Role In Construction Of Chenab Bridge - IISc Professor, She Is...
photoDetails english Updated:Jun 08, 2025, 12:19 PM IST Chenab Bridge 1 / 13 The World's Highest Railway Bridge spans the Chenab River at a height of 359 m (1,178 ft) above the river, which is 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower. (Credit: ANI) Inauguration By PM Modi 2 / 13 PM Modi on Friday (June 6) inaugurated the Chenab Bridge. (Credit: ANI) The Woman Behind The Bridge 3 / 13 In a post on X, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, wrote, "We are proud of Prof Madhavi Latha & her team's contribution to the #ChenabBridge inaugurated by Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi." (Credit: @iiscbangalore/ X) Madhavi Latha's Contribution 4 / 13 IISc Bangalore further stated that Dr. Madhavi Latha's team worked on the stability of slopes, design and construction of foundations, "design of slope stabilisation systems, incl. rock anchors to withstand hazards," the post added. Madhavi Latha's Education 5 / 13 Dr. G Madhavi Latha, who played an important role in the Chenba Bridge Project, earned her in Civil Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in 1992. She concluded her in Geotechnical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Warangal in 1995. Lastly, she got her Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras in 2000. (Credit: ANI) Gold Medal In... 6 / 13 Dr. G Madhavi Latha bagged the Gold Medal in Civil Engineering in her (Credit: ANI) Madhavi Latha's Awards 7 / 13 According to the official website of IISc Dr. G Madhavi Latha received "Best Paper Award for the paper "Geocell supported Embankments" in National Seminar on Ground Improvement Methods, NIT Warangal" in 1998. On the other hand, she was listed in the Top 75 Women in STEAM of India in 2022. In 2021, she was awarded the Best Woman Geotechnical Researcher by the Indian Geotechnical Society. (Credit: ANI) Role In World's Highest Bridge 8 / 13 Dr. G Madhavi Latha played a key role in the planning, design, and construction of the Chenab Bridge. She was the Geotechnical Consultant to the World's Highest Railway Bridge across the Chenab River. (Credit: ANI) Woman In Science 9 / 13 In a section named 'Women in Science', the IISc's Website mentions that the most fulfilling thing about a life in science, according to Dr. G Madhavi Latha, is "seeing your own innovative designs come to life and serve the society is the most fulfilling aspect of life in science. It makes life interesting, adventurous and worth the hardships." (Credit: ANI) Madhavi Latha At IISc 10 / 13 At present, Dr. G Madhavi Latha is a HAG professor at IISc and has been associated with the institute for many years. Previously, she was associated with IIT Guwahati as an Assistant Professor for over a year. (Credit: ANI) Madhavi Latha Wanted To Become... 11 / 13 In the 'Women in Science', Dr. G Madhavi Latha said, "My childhood dream was to become a doctor. I was not supported by my family to pursue that dream. During my B. Tech. days, I was told by all my teachers that I will become a good researcher. However, my true passion for scientific research was realized during my M. Tech. days." (Credit: ANI) Chenab Bridge Salient Feature 12 / 13 The arch bridge between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir is 1,178 feet above the riverbed, forming a crucial link from Katra to Banihal. It is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL). (Credit: ANI) Lifespan of Chenab Bridge 13 / 13 The Chenab Bridge will be able to withstand winds with speeds up to 260 kmph and will have a lifespan of 120 years. (Credit: ANI)
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
‘Speak in Kannada first': Bengaluru woman's response to vox-pop host sparks language debate online
A video from Bengaluru has gone viral, igniting fresh discussions around the ongoing language tensions in Karnataka. In the clip, a woman firmly insists that a street interviewer speak in Kannada instead of Telugu while conducting a public interaction, a moment that has since sparked wide reactions on social media. Also Read - Karnataka raises compensation to ₹25 lakh for families of Bengaluru stampede victims The interaction took place during a street vox-pop when the host, speaking in Telugu, asked the woman her opinion about Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) recent IPL victory. The woman immediately interrupted him and said, 'Speak in Kannada first. You must ask the question in Kannada.' Surprised but polite, the host responded that he knew only a little Kannada. The woman didn't budge and replied, 'Speak in whatever little Kannada you know. That's fine.' Her calm but firm assertion instantly resonated with many online, especially among Kannadigas who've often voiced concerns about the diminishing usage of the local language in public spaces in Bengaluru. Also Read - Who is Madhavi Latha? Meet the IISc professor behind the world's tallest Chenab Bridge in Kashmir The video gained rapid traction, triggering a wave of responses across platforms. One user commented, 'What is he even thinking—asking questions in Telugu in Bengaluru? Doesn't he have basic awareness about Kannada being the local language?' Another user celebrated the woman's stance, writing, 'Just a few years ago, such resistance from everyday people was unheard of. This is heartening. Let this become the norm.' Some users also acknowledged the interviewer's respectful handling of the situation. 'Credit to the Telugu host too—he didn't escalate or argue. He responded sensibly and acknowledged the woman's point,' a user wrote. Others viewed the clip as a symbolic shift in public attitude. 'When you politely ask for Kannada, it pulls people out of their 'supremacy' mindset and brings ground-level respect. That's what we saw here,' another person posted. The incident adds to the growing discourse around linguistic identity in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru—a city that attracts people from across India and the world.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka raises compensation to ₹25 lakh for families of Bengaluru stampede victims
The Karnataka government on Saturday announced an increase in the compensation for victims of the tragic Bengaluru stampede that claimed 11 lives and left over 50 injured. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the ex gratia amount would be hiked from ₹10 lakh to ₹25 lakh for each of the deceased's families. Also Read - Bengaluru man beheads wife, caught carrying severed head on scooter: Report The announcement came four days after the deadly crowd surge outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium during a felicitation event organised to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) historic IPL 2025 win. Taking to social media platform X, Siddaramaiah said, 'I have ordered an increase in the compensation announced for the families of those who died in the stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium from ₹10 lakh each to ₹25 lakh. Our government hopes that families who have lost loved ones will not suffer further due to financial problems." In addition to the government's aid, the RCB franchise had earlier announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh per victim's family and promised the creation of a support fund to assist those who were injured in the incident. Also Read - Who is Madhavi Latha? Meet the IISc professor behind the world's tallest Chenab Bridge in Kashmir The tragedy unfolded on June 4, when an estimated crowd of two to three lakh people gathered outside the iconic stadium in central Bengaluru to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes. The victory celebrations, however, quickly turned into a nightmare as unmanageable crowds led to a fatal stampede. The fallout from the incident has taken a political turn, with opposition BJP leaders like Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and Bengaluru North MP Shobha Karandlaje accusing the Congress-led state government of prioritising political optics over public safety. They also criticised the state's decision to hand over the investigation to the Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner instead of an independent or judicial body. Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has suspended many IPS officers including former Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda after the incident.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘My AI startup got funded': Bengaluru intern's exit message goes viral, sparks buzz
A WhatsApp message from an intern in Bengaluru informing their employer that they no longer need the internship, because their AI startup just got funded, has gone viral, sparking sharp reactions and deeper reflections on startup culture, ambition, and the unpredictability of career trajectories. The screenshot, shared by tech founder Aashish Jhunjhunwala on Linkedin was captioned with three key takeaways: Anything will sell if you mention 'AI', You never know when your intern/subordinate can become a CEO/founder and Bengaluru is the startup capital of India. The viral screenshot shows a conversation where one person asks, 'Hey, what happened to you last Friday? I didn't see you in office.' The intern replies, 'Hey, sorry I took a leave because I had a meeting with a VC. My AI startup got funded. I don't need the internship anymore.' (Also Read: Who is Madhavi Latha? Meet the IISc professor behind the world's tallest Chenab Bridge in Kashmir) While some celebrated the intern's ambition and success, the post attracted a flood of reactions, ranging from snark to philosophical reflections on the startup ecosystem. One user wrote, '99 per cent of those interns will be back on dihadi [daily wage] in a few years.' (Also Read: 'I cried on Google Meet': Bengaluru techie quits job after public shaming and gaslighting) Another pointed out a more humbling insight, 'The 4th takeaway is that we can never predict when the CEO or founder may become an intern again. So it is best not to say, 'I don't need the internship anymore.'' Others used the moment to underline the fast-paced transformation of work in India's startup hubs, especially Bengaluru. 'The rapid evolution of roles in startups truly highlights the importance of nurturing talent,' one user commented. 'Today's intern could very well be tomorrow's leader.'
