Guwahati: Work on the much-desired bridge over the river Brahmaputra connecting Jorhat and Majuli has been stalled for the last two months, creating considerable resentment among the residents of the river-island, who have appealed to the Centre to expedite resumption of the construction work.
The foundation of the bridge of the bridge was laid in November, 2021 and the work was awarded by the Central Government to the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation Limited. Work then started on the bridge but in the month of April this year local people noticed certain gaps in two piles – No 8 and No 11 – on the Majuli side. Work stopped at that stage. Subsequently, senior officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) visited the spot in May and carried out an inspection.
Representatives of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) along with the local people met the NHAI officials and requested them to make the inspection report public within 15 days so that it could be known whether there was any defect in the construction. The AASU and the local people also requested the officials to apprise them about the corrective measures that would be required in case any defect was found. They further requested that work on the other piles should continue in the meantime.
However, no information was forthcoming after the NHAI authorities returned to Delhi and the work remained suspended on both ends.
Recently, the Majuli District Students' Union visited the site and found the construction site in an abandoned state.
Talking to The Sentinel, Surjya Kumar Bhuyan, the organizing secretary of the AASU, who represents the Majuli District Students' Union, said that the bridge is essential for the people of Majuli. He said that foundation stones had been laid several times and finally work started last year. "The AASU, some other organizations and the people of Majuli have struggled for long for this bridge. We had even submitted a memorandum to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari which contained the signatures of one lakh residents of Majuli. We also went to Delhi in December, 2015 along with Xatradhikars, journalist etc., and met Nitin Gadkari and the then Union Minister Uma Bharati in this connection."
He termed as unfortunate the fact that work on such an important bridge has remained stalled for two months. He reiterated that the NHAI should make the inspection report public and, if deemed necessary, the contract of the construction company should be terminated. However, work must be resumed without further delay because this bridge is vital for the people of Majuli, Bhuyan said.
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