Assam Government to improve rural connectivity with World Bank funding

 PWD invites bids for construction of 28 rural bridges at Rs 61.62 crore

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: To improve the State’s rural connectivity, the Assam Government has applied for financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Assam Resilient Rural Bridges Program (ARRBP), through the Government of India. The objective of ARRBP is to build green, inclusive, and resilient connectivity in rural Assam and strengthen the Assam Public Works and Road Department’s roads and bridges management capability.

Under ARRBP, the Assam Government had decided to build rural bridges in a phased manner. Due to the high cost of construction, the government has sought financing from the World Bank. Some time back, the Assam PWD (EAP or externally aided projects) had invited open competitive bids for the construction of 21 rural bridges with an estimated cost of Rs 48.47 crore. Now, the Assam Government has taken a policy decision for the construction of 28 rural bridges. On behalf of the government, the State PWD (EAP) has invited open competitive bids for the construction of 28 bridges with an estimated cost of Rs 61.62 crore. The estimated time for completion of the construction of the 28 bridges is between 18-30 months. The work for the construction of the 28 bridges has been divided into 17 packages.

Among the 28 bridges, four will be constructed in the Morigaon district, four in the Kamrup district, three in the Darrang district, two in the Sivasagar district, two in the Tinsukia district, seven in the Dibrugarh district, one in the Nalbari district, four in the Barpeta district and one in the Lakhimpur district. According to sources, the World Bank has in principle agreed to fund the construction of bridges under ARRBP.

Some of the bridges are – the bridge on DK Road at Nabahatia to Beloguri via Kuloi pathar Road in the Morigaon district; the bridge from Sonaikuchi to Gopal Krishan Tea Garden via Bilampur in the Morigaon district; the bridge from the Kalajal Balahati Road to BLIC Road to Barkurihar village of the Kamrup district; the bridge on the Namakhola Bahmolla Kubiarkuchi Road in the Darrang district; the bridge on Deogharia Ali Road in the Sivasagar district; and the bridge from Sonapur to No.20 via Lukampur Road in the Lakhimpur district.

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