ITANAGAR,July 5: The Minister of State for Defence, Dr MM Pallam Raju inaugurated a 480 m long bridge, built across river Simen on Akajan-Jonai-Pasighat road (NH 52) in Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday. Dedicating the bridge to the nation, the minister said that opening of this bridge will usher in a new era of development, facilitating easier transportation for the civil population, Army and Paramilitary Forces and a host of other agencies, working for infrastructure development of the region. The minister also remarked that opening of this bridge will facilitate early completion of the broad gauge rail conversion project between Rangiya and Murkongselek. The existing rail cum road bridge was a major bottleneck for smooth flow of road traffic. The bridge has been constructed at a cost of Rs 24 crore. Among others present on the occasion, included local MP Ranee Narah, DGBR Lt Gen S Ravi Shankar, GOC 3 Corps Lt Gen Arun Kumar Sahni and GOC 56 Infantry division Maj Gen Sanjay Kulkurni. AK Bishnoi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Dr Subhash Sharma, Secretary, Border Roads Development Board were also present, stated a release.