On May 26, Prime minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate India’s longest river bridge in Assam. The bridge, 9.15 KM long, will be capable of withstanding the weight of a 60-tonne battle tank. Dhola-Sadiya bridge is over the Brahmaputra river and is 3.55 km longer than the Bandra-Worli sea link in Mumbai, the second longest bridge in India. The construction of the bridge started in 2011 and the total project costs nearly 950 crores.
Knowing the bridge is situated close to China border, it can be viewed as an attempt by India to shore up its defence requirements along the Sino-Indian border, particularly in the northeast.
Notably, this bridge will also provide an easy access to people of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam with air and rail connectivity.
“The prime minister will dedicate the strategically important bridge to the nation on May 26. It will bolster the road connectivity in the Northeast as the bridge will be used by people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh besides defence forces extensively,” Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.
“Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have huge strategic value to the country. Since the bridge is located close to our border with China, it will help the quick movement of military troops and artillery in times of conflict,” Mr Sonowal added. It also to be noted that the BJP government in Assam will complete one year in office on May 24.
