Assam to reconstruct ageing rural bridges with World Bank funding

 PWD invites bidding for 21 bridges with an estimated cost of Rs 48 crore

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: In rural Assam, there are still around 1,000 ageing bridges that cannot sustain heavy loads. To reconstruct them in phases, the State Government has sought financing from the World Bank through the Government of India towards the cost of the Assam Resilient Rural Bridges Programme. According to sources, the World Bank has already given a positive signal to the funding.

The State PWD has an EAP (externally aided projects) wing that implements externally aided projects. Taking a few extra steps, the Chief Engineer of PWD's EAP has invited open competitive bids for the construction of 21 ageing rural bridges with an estimated cost of around Rs 48.47 crore. The Chief Engineer has divided the work on the 21 bridges into 11 packages. The names of the bridges package-wise are: (i) the bridge of Gobinpur Ratanpur connecting road, bridge on Nabajyoti to Matikhola and the bridge on Endbari Road in the Golaghat district with an estimated cost of Rs 478.50 lakh, (ii) the bridge on Katia Chapori Road in the Majuli district with an estimated cost of Rs 353.81 lakh, (iii) the bridge on Kuhiarbari to Morsutigaon Road in the Majuli district with an estimated cost of Rs 325.02 lakh, (iv) the bridge on Kuhiarbari to Morsutigaon Road in the Majuli district with an estimated cost of Rs 359.07 lakh, (v) the bridge on Kulsi Garubandha Bangelibila Baregaon Road, the bridge on Bhagawatipara Dhantala Hakrapara Road and the bridge on Dhanipara to Pathelipara Ozapara Road in the Kamrup district with an estimated cost of Rs 527.60 lakh, (vi) the bridge on Bagals Road to Rangia Hajo Road via Kanikuchi Nadiparsuba Road and the bridge on Kehohati Bathou Mandir to Nonapar Road in the Kamrup district with an estimated cost of Rs 412.23 lakh, (vii) the bridge on Kamalpur Old NT Road to Dolma Gate and the bridge on Dhulara to Mahipalkuchi Road in the Kamrup district with an estimated cost of Rs 522.63 lakh, (viii) the bridge on Narikali Makrachuba Punia Road in the Darrang district with an estimated cost of Rs 333.67 lakh, (ix) the bridge on Bochachuba Solpam connecting road and the bridge on Katahi Hussain Chuburi connecting road in the Darrang district with an estimated cost of Rs 444.87 lakh, (x) the bridge on Gangajani Moilata Bill Road and the bridge on Deomornoi to Debaparen Road in the Darrang district with an estimated cost of Rs 518.63 lakh, and (xi) the bridge on Makri Bamundanga Road, another bridge on Makri Bamundanga Road, and the bridge on Khakilamari to Bashbari via Dhamar Road in the Goalpara district with an estimated cost of Rs 571.90 lakh.

According to sources in the EAP wing of the PWD, the contractors will have to complete the construction of the bridges within two years of awarding the work.

The objective of the Assam Resilient Rural Bridges Programme is to build green, inclusive, and resilient connectivity in rural Assam and strengthen the Assam Public Works and Roads Department's roads and bridges management capability.

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