Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 18, 2021, foundation of two major bridge projects across river Brahmaputra.This fulfilled the long pending demand of the people of Assam and Meghalaya. Speaking on the occasion, Union Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs Minister Nitin Gadkari said road and infrastructure works worth Rs one lakh crore are being undertaken in Assam. He said, 91 road works of 1,300 km worth Rs 8,000 crore have been completed in the State during the last six years, while works worth Rs 20,000 crore will be completed by the year 2022. He added that DPR shall be ready for projects worth Rs 30,000 crore within this year.
Gadkari said that the demand for a bridge over river Brahmaputra between Dhubri in Assam and Phulbari in Meghalaya is 10 years old. With this, distance between the two places will be shortened by 203 km. He said that Assam and Meghalaya will have a direct connection with West Bengal through this bridge. The 55 km long road construction from Serampore in West Bengal to Dhubri, Assam will begin this October, he added. It will save the distance and time needed to travel to Bhutan and Bangladesh, according to a PIB release.
For people living in remote areas in Majuli Island (between Brahmaputra river), the 2-lane major bridge including approaches over Brahmaputra river between Majuli (Kamalabari) and Jorhat (Nimati Ghat) (6.8 km) on NH-715K costing Rs 925.47 crore is being constructed. This bridge will provide easy and all time access to the people living in Majuli town with rest of Assam to meet their health, education, and day to day development activities.
Similarly, the people of Meghalaya (Phulbari) on South bank of Brahmaputra and people of Assam (near Dhubri) on North Bank of Brahmaputra river have to travel long distance to meet their day to day economic activities with developed towns of Meghalaya and Assam. The 4 lane Dhubri – Phulbari Bridge to be constructed over river Brahamputra in the State of Assam and Meghalaya on NH-127B costing Rs 4,997 crore will reduce travel distance from 205 km to only 19 km and travel time from 6 hours to 20 minutes.