STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The newly constructed two-lane bridge parallel to the two-lane Kolia Bhomora Setu across the Brahmaputra connecting Koliabor Tiniali and Tezpur opened temporarily for vehicular traffic today.
Construction of the 3.040-km bridge was completed recently. The old Kolia Bhomora Setu is now closed for vehicular traffic as its repair work started today.
The old Kolia Bhomora Setu, completed in 1987, is a 3.015-km-long pre-stressed concrete road bridge over the Brahmaputra. It connects Tezpur in the Sonitpur district on the northern bank with Kaliabor in the Nagaon district on the south bank. The bridge got its name after Ahom General Kolia Bhomora Phukan. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi inaugurated this bridge in 1987.
After its inauguration in 1987, this bridge did not undergo any major repair. It will go for repair now, including its surface, footpaths, side railings, walls, etc.
NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited) will monitor the repair work. M/s Gammon SPSCPL-JV is repairing the bridge. According to sources in the construction company, the repair work will take two-three months. The old bridge will be available for vehicular traffic after its repair.
The newly opened bridge is part of the 17.300-km four-lane project from Kaliabor Tiniali to Dolabari. The cost of this project was Rs 588.95 crore. M/s Gammon SPSCPL-JV did construct this project. NHIDCL expects that after the repair of the old Kolia Bhomora Setu, the government will officially inaugurate the four-lane project from Kaliabor Tiniali to Dolabari. The project is strategically important.
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