Guwahati: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal took stock of the progress of ongoing repair works of old Saraighat bridge over river Brahmaputra in Guwahati today and directed the railway authorities to complete the repairing within June 20. Chief Minister Sonowal who visited the work site also asked the Railways to engage manpower in three shifts and complete casting work of the bridge within May 15.
“The Saraighat Bridge is a lifeline in terms of connectivity for the people of North and South Bank of river Brahmaputra. It is very important to complete the repairing at the earliest to ensure hassle-free traffic movement for the people of both banks of the river”, Sonowal said to the railway authorities presented at the site.
Stating Saraighat as a major connectivity link, Sonowal further directed to complete the repair works within June 20 instead of June 30 as fixed earlier by the Railways. Moreover, he asked the railways to finish the casting of the bridge within May 15 so that the bridge could be reopened for vehicular movement on June 20. Further, considering the amount of repair work to be executed, Sonowal advised the Railways to engage manpower in three shifts ensuring round the clockwork instead of present two shifts.
The General Manager, NFR Sanjive Roy informed the Chief Minister that it is for the first time a major repair of this scale has been taken up since the time of the dedication of the bridge to the service of the people in 1963. He also assured the Chief Minister to complete the repair work within June 20 as directed by him. The Railway personnel also briefed the Chief Minister about the project in detail at the work site.
Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Hrishikesh Goswami also accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit to the site.