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GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday launched the `Mahabahu-Brahmaputra` and laid the foundation stone of Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge in a virtual event. He also performed 'bhumi pujan' for the construction of the Jorhat-Majuli Bridge at 12 noon.
The 'Mahabahu Brahmaputra' project will cost Rs 3,231 crore.
Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to Twitter to announce the launch of the Mahabahu Brahmaputra project. He wrote, "Grateful Hon PM Sri @narendramodi for launch of Mahabahu Brahmaputra ~ A towering step towards enabling seamless connectivity in #NorthEast. It'll help promote river cruise tourism, generate employment and enable growth in local business."
The Dhubri-Phulbari bridge will be India's longest bridge. The 19-kilometre bridge will connect Dhubri in Assam to Phulbari, Tura, Rongram and Rongjeng in Meghalaya. The four-lane Dhubri-Phulbari bridge, estimated to cost approximately 4,997 crores will be built over the Brahmaputra river.
The bridge will be located on National Highway 127B, starting from Srirampur on NH-27 (East-West Corridor), and ending at Nongstoin on NH-106 in the State of Meghalaya. Vehicles now take over a 200km-long detour using the Naranarayan bridge, which is 60km upstream. The new bridge will complete the missing link of NH-127B from Assam to Meghalaya.
Currently, small boats run between Dhubri and Phulbari. The boats require about two and a half hours to cross the river. The Dhubri-Phulbari bridge will reduce the distance to 19 kilometres from 205 kilometres. According to government officials, once the bridge becomes operational, it will take 15-20 minutes to cross the river.
Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Ind Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region tweeted, "Distance between #Assam & #Meghalaya is around 250 km by road. In the future, it will be covered in 19-20 kms. This bridge will also prove to be significant for international movement of traffic to other nations: PM @narendramodi #AatmanirbharAssam"
Launching the bridge, PM Modi said this will be a life-changing setu for the people in the region.
Speaking on the occasion of the launch of the projects, PM Modi said, "The work needed to be done on the Brahmaputra stalled for decades and connectivity in Assam and the entire Northeast region remained a major challenge. With the coming of Mahabahu Brahmaputra, work is now being done at a fast pace."
According to the Prime Minister`s Office, PM Modi also inaugurated the Ro-Pax (roll on/roll off passenger) vessel operations between Neamati-Majuli Island, North Guwahati-South Guwahati and Dhubri-Hatsingimari.
The PMO's office informed that these projects are aimed at providing seamless connectivity to the Eastern parts of India, and include various development activities for the people living around river Brahmaputra and river Barak.
The Ro-Pax services, between Neamati and Majuli, will cut down the time required to travel by reducing the distance of 420 kilometres to only 12 kilometres. This will have a good impact on the logistics of small-scale industries of the region.
The Jorhat-Majuli bridge will be located on NH-715K, and will connect Neematighat in Jorhat and Kamalabari in Majuli. The construction of the bridge has been a long-standing demand of people residing in Majuli. People living in these parts have been dependent on the ferry services to travel to the mainland of the state. Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had announced that the construction of the bridge would begin by February 20.
MyGovAssam tweeted, "PM Shri @narendramodi ji laid the foundation stone for construction of Inland Waterways Transport Terminal & Tourist Jetty at Jogighopa, which will in turn hugely boost the economic cooperation between India & Bangladesh. #AatmanirbharAssam"
According to reports, a permanent Inland Water Transport Terminal will also be built at Jogighopa under the program. The terminal will help in easing the traffic on the Siliguri Corridor towards Kolkata and Haldia. It will also help in the shipping of cargo during flood season to various northeastern states like Meghalaya and Tripura.