OUR CORRESPONDENT
SIVASAGAR: A strong public outcry has emerged in Sivasagar following a controversial demand by the Sivasagar Taxpayers’ Association to demolish the historic British-era bridge over the Dikhow River and replace it with a new concrete bridge, similar to the one built over the Bhogdoi river in Jorhat. The demand was raised in a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma during his recent visit to Sivasagar.
The proposal triggered sharp opposition from various individuals and organizations, most notably the Central Committee of the Ujoni Axom Muslim Kalyan Parishad, which sent a formal memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Sivasagar District Commissioner, calling for scientific preservation of the heritage bridge. In the memorandum, committee president Monirul Islam Bora and general secretary Samsul Hussain highlighted that the bridge was constructed in 1935 by Braithwaite Company of Calcutta, using advanced engineering technology of the time. The bridge, equipped with a manual swing mechanism, allowed large tea cargo steamers to pass beneath as they journeyed from Desangmukh to Calcutta. When ships approached, an operator stationed at the bridge would use a handle-driven gear system to lift the central wooden section, permitting smooth navigation.
The bridge had also served a strategic purpose during World War II, facilitating the movement of Allied troops and heavy military vehicles. Despite its rich historical significance, the structure has been left neglected and decaying for the past 25 years. After the construction of the adjacent Dr Moidul Islam Bora Setu, the old bridge fell out of use.
Since the 1993 Axam Xahitya Xabha session held in Sivasagar, local civic groups and concerned citizens have been repeatedly raising demands to conserve the bridge. Over the years, numerous protest programmes and public campaigns have also been organized demanding its preservation.
The Ujoni Axom Muslim Kalyan Parishad condemned the Taxpayers’ Association’s unilateral push for demolition without public consent, calling it unjustified and disrespectful to local heritage. It asserted that the bridge should be restored to its original design using modern technology, and that its manual swing mechanism upgraded for operational use. As part of an ongoing multi-crore beautification project centered around Rang Ghar, the bridge could serve as a key heritage attraction. Suggestions include installing decorative lighting and offering boating under the bridge, with the swing mechanism operating as a live attraction. This initiative could attract both domestic and international tourists and also generate revenue.
The parishad urged the government to allocate dedicated funds immediately to renovate and restore the old bridge. Additionally, they proposed the construction of a new concrete bridge across the Dikhow river linking Pakaghat in Dhai Ali to Hatikhuk, to improve tourist connectivity. The route holds historical importance, as it was used during the Ahom era by royal nurses (Dhai Ma) to access the palace.
Guided tours via this route could enhance access to sites like Rang Ghar and Talatal Ghar, providing a unique blend of heritage and convenience for tourists. The parishad emphasized the dual demand, to scientifically preserve the historic Dikhow bridge and to construct a new bridge at Dhai Ali for better connectivity, in its memorandum to Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma.
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