Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the ‘Mahabahu-Brahmaputra’, lay the foundation of Dhubri Phulbari Bridge, and perform Bhumi Pujan for construction of Majuli Bridge in Assam on February 18, 2021, at 12 noon via video conferencing. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister; MoS (I/C) for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Chief Minister of Assam will be present on the occasion.
Mahabahu-Brahmaputra : The launch of Mahabahu-Brahmaputra will be marked by the inauguration of the Ro-Pax vessel operations between Neamati-Majuli Island, North Guwahati-South Guwahati, and Dhubri-Hatsingimari; Shilanyas of Inland Water Transport (IWT) Terminal at Jogighopa, various tourist jetties on river Brahmaputra, and launch of digital solutions for Ease-of-Doing-Business. The programme is aimed at providing seamless connectivity to the Eastern parts of India and includes various development activities for the people living around river Brahmaputra and river Barak.
The Ro-Pax services will help in reducing the travel time by providing connectivity between banks reducing the distance to be travelled by road. The Ro-Pax operation between Neamati and Majuli will reduce the total distance of 420 km currently being travelled by vehicles to only 12 km resulting in a substantial impact on the logistics of small-scale industries of the region.
Two indigenously procured Ro-Pax vessels : M V Rani Gaidinliu and MV Sachin Dev Burman, shall become operational. Introduction of Ro-Pax vessel MV JFR. Jacob between North and South Guwahati will reduce travelling distance of around 40 kmto a mere 3 km. Introduction of M.V. Bob Khathing between Dhubri and Hatsingimari will reduce travelling distance of 220 km to 28 km resulting in a huge saving of travel distance and time.
The programme also includes shilanyas for construction of tourist jetties at four locations : Neamati, Biswanath Ghat, Pandu, and Jogighopa with the financial assistance of Rs 9.41 crores from the Ministry of Tourism. These jetties will promote river cruise tourism, generate local employment, and also generate growth for local business.
A permanent Inland Water Transport Terminal will also be built at Jogighopa under the programme, which will connect with the Multi-Modal Logistics Park also coming up at Jogighopa. This Terminal will help in reducing the traffic on the Siliguri Corridor towards Kolkata and Haldia. It will also facilitate the uninterrupted movement of cargo even during flood season to various North-Eastern States like Meghalaya and Tripura and to Bhutan and Bangladesh as wel, according to a PIB releasel.
Prime Minister will also launch two e-portals to further Ease of Doing Business. The Car-D (Cargo Data) portal will collate cargo and cruise data on a real time basis. PANI (Portal for Asset and Navigation Information) will act as a one-stop solution for providing information about river navigation and infrastructure.
Dhubri Phulbari Bridge : The Prime Minister will lay the foundation for the four lane bridge over Brahmaputra between Dhubri (on North Bank) and Phulbari (on South Bank). The proposed Bridge will be located on NH-127B originating from Srirampur on NH-27 (East-West Corridor), and terminating at Nongstoin on NH-106 in the State of Meghalaya. It will connect Dhubri in Assam to Phulbari, Tura, Rongram, and Rongjeng in Meghalaya.
Majuli Bridge :Prime Minister will perform Bhumi Pujan for the two-lane Bridge on the Brahmaputra between Majuli (North Bank) and Jorhat (South Bank). The bridge will be located on NH-715K and will connect Neematighat (on Jorhat side) and Kamalabari (on Majuli side). The Construction of the bridge has been a long demand of the people of Majuli who for generations have been dependent on the ferry services to connect with the mainland of Assam.