Photo Credit: X/IISc
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently unveiled the iconic Chenab Railway Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir — the tallest railway bridge in the world — most of the spotlight was on the scale and symbolism of the project. But behind this towering marvel is a quietly brilliant woman whose expertise quite literally anchored the structure: Professor G. Madhavi Latha of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
Standing taller than the Eiffel Tower at 359 metres above the riverbed, the Chenab Bridge is not just a feat of engineering; it’s a triumph of vision, perseverance, and rock-solid science. And no one understands that better than Prof. Madhavi Latha, who worked on the project as the chief geotechnical consultant for over 17 years.
Her role? Absolutely crucial!
Nestled in the volatile and rugged terrain of the Himalayas, the Chenab Bridge posed monumental challenges — from unpredictable slopes and landslides to shifting soil layers and seismic sensitivity. But where most would hesitate, Prof. Latha leaned in. Her job was to study the very earth the bridge would stand on — ensuring that the slopes were stable, foundations solid, and the structure safe from nature’s unpredictability.
Her expertise in rock mechanics and soil reinforcement helped the construction team adapt in real-time to changing conditions — an approach she calls “design as you go.” Unlike static urban projects, this remote site demanded a dynamic, boots-on-the-ground mindset. And she delivered.
Originally from a small village in Andhra Pradesh, Prof. Madhavi Latha’s journey to one of India’s most prestigious engineering institutes is just as inspiring as the bridge she helped build. After her B.Tech from JNTU, she went on to earn an M.Tech from NIT Warangal and a Ph.D. from IIT Madras — eventually becoming a professor at IISc Bengaluru, a powerhouse in civil and geotechnical engineering.
But what makes her story even more special is how rare her profile is in a male-dominated field. She’s not just building bridges of steel and stone — she’s paving paths for women in science and engineering across India. In fact, she’s been recognized among India’s top 75 Women in STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and has bagged multiple awards for her groundbreaking research in geosynthetics and slope stabilization.
The Chenab Railway Bridge is part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a lifeline connecting Kashmir to the rest of India. It spans 1,315 metres and features an arch of 467 metres — a jaw-dropping achievement in itself. But beyond the stats and steel lies the story of a woman who quite literally held it all together, underground.
So next time you see the picture-perfect arch of the Chenab Bridge against the Kashmir skyline, remember: while hundreds may have built it, one woman made sure it stood firm — come wind, rain, or tremor.
