Bogibeel Bridge to Open this Year, says CM Sarbananda Sonowal

A Correspondent

DIBRUGARH, Sept 2: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is confident that the Bogibeel bridge over the Brahmaputra at Dibrugarh will be opened for public this year.

Sonowal reviewed the progress in the construction work of the bridge at a meeting at the Railway Guest House at Dibrugarh on Sunday. He took stock of the construction work and urged the General Manager of NF Railway, officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and other agencies concerned to complete the road overbridge being constructed over NH 37 connecting Bogibeel Bridge within November 30 this year. He also told NF Railway to provide technical knowhow and manpower for the completion of the overbridge on time. He appealed to NF Railway for proper upkeep of the overbridge near Dibrugarh University for benefit of the travelers.

Talking to the media later, Sonowal said that the Central Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pushing for rapid infrastructure development of the north-eastern region and for that reason bridges like this are being completed at a fast pace. The commitment of the Prime Minister to develop this region is reflected in the speedy completion of the new Saraighat bridge and Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Setu connecting Dhola-Sadiya, he said.

Sonowal asserted that this longest rail-cum-road bridge in the country will be crucial for the economic development of the region, strengthening its security scenario apart from boosting the connectivity for the people of neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. He exuded confidence that the bridge will be opened for public within this year and the Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate it.

The Chief Minister also directed installation of adequate lighting systems on the roads connecting Bogibeel bridge measuring 1 km on either of its sides. He wants the use of solar power for the illumination. The Chief Minister also took stock of the progress of the proposal given to the Railways to prepare a special scheme for turning the bridge into a place of tourist destination.

MP Rameswar Teli, MLAs Prasanta Phukan, Rituparna Baruah, Chakradhar Gogoi, Bhuban Pegu and others attended the meeting.