Construction of Country’s Longest River Bridge In Assam By 2020

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Construction work on the longest bridge over any river in India is expected to get underway in Assam at the end of 2020. If things proceed as expected, this two/four lane bridge over the Brahmaputra will provide the much needed fillip to road communication between Assam and Meghalaya. The project will be implemented by the NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited) which is fully owned company of the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways.

Presently, the longest bridge in the country is the 9.15 km Dhola-Sadiya Bridge (Bhupen Hazarika Setu) over the Lohit River in Assam. However, work is underway for another bridge over the Ganga River near Patna. Once completed, it will become the longest bridge in the country. On the other hand, the proposed 19.282 km bridge over the Brahmaputra will turn out to be the longest bridge in India. It will connect Dhubri on the northern bank (in Assam) with Phulbari on the southern bank (in Meghalaya) on National Highway 127B. The funding for the approximately Rs 5,000 crore work will be done by JICA (Japan International Corporation Agency).

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this bridge project (including approaches) was finalized in February 2018. The usually lengthy pre-tender formalities have also been completed, informed sources. Now only the tender process is remaining. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) headed by the Prime Minister had approved the project on February 28, 2019.

Talking to The Sentinel, NHIDCL Executive director (NE) Ajay Ahluwalia said, “Hopefully the tender will be floated by the end of this year. After finalization of the work allotment, construction work will commence by the next year.”

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