9.15km long Dhola-Sadiya bridge, the longest bridge in the country, inaugurated by PM Modi in Assam
Words: Vandana Devi Images: Various sources
3.55km longer than the Bandra-Worli Sea Link in Mumbai, 9.15km long Dhola-Sadiya bridge is the new longest bridge in the country. Inauguration of this bridge across the river Lohit, a tributary of Brahmaputra, in Assam by PM Modi marked the BJP led government’s third year in power in the country and first year in power in the state. The government has also decided to name the bridge after singer Bhupen Hazarika, who hailed from Sadiya.
The bridge connects Dhola in Assam to Sadiya in Arunachal Pradesh and will reduce the travel time between the two states by a huge margin, more than 4 hours, reducing distance by 165km. This will ensure better connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and will be majorly beneficial for civilians as well as for the army troops. The later will now require less time to reach the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh and hence increasing defence in the northeastern region.
“The bridge will not only save money, reduce travel time but it comes as a foundation for the beginning of a new economic revolution. That’s why the whole nation has its eyes on this bridge”, Modi said.
The Prime Minister will also be inaugurating two other projects in the state by laying the foundation stones for Indian Agricultural Research Institute in Assam’s Dhemaji district and for All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Guwahati.