BRIDGE OVER BRAHMAPUTRA: Work on war footing to meet PM Modi’s visit date

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State PWD is racing against the clock to make the laying of the foundation stone for the Palasbari-Sualkuchi Bridge and Road Project possible during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s April 14 visit to the state.

The bridge and road project also has a 4-km-long, 4-lane bridge over the Brahmaputra, connecting Palasbari and Sualkuchi. And the Prime Minister will visit the state to witness the Megha Bihu Dance recital in Guwahati as the chief guest.

State PWD-EAP (Externally Aided Projects) has finalized the alignment of the project, besides floating tenders for PMCs (Project Management Consultants. The PWD-EAP is now evaluating the tenders received, besides preparing other necessary documents. The PMC to be picked up will float the main tender for the construction of the project and prepare other documents in consultation with the State Government. Since the State Government wishes the Prime Minister to lay the foundation stone of the project during his April 14 visit to the state, the PWD-EAC is racing against time to do all related works.

The State Government has contacted the NDB (New Development Bank), which has agreed to provide Rs 2,600 crore for the project.

The construction time schedule for the bridge and road project in the EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) mode is 48 months. On completion of the project, the road connectivity between North Bank and Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport will ease to a large extent, besides minimizing traffic load at Jalukbari Junction in Guwahati. The purpose of the project is to boost connectivity in lower Assam.

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