A transformative infrastructure project is on the horizon for India's northeast, with the construction of a monumental 19 km bridge across the mighty Brahmaputra River.
This engineering marvel will not only be the nation's second longest river bridge after the Mumbai Trans Harbour link but would also serve as a vital artery, stitching together the states of Assam and Meghalaya.
The bridge will replace the arduous ferry crossing currently utilised between Dhubri in Assam and Phulbari in Meghalaya.
Often taking upwards of two and a half hours, this ferry service will be a relic of the past upon completion of the bridge.
The bridge itself will act as a direct route, slashing travel time between the two points to a mere 19 kilometers, a staggering reduction from the current 205 kilometers.
This monumental infrastructure project is being undertaken by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), a household name in Indian construction.
The company's subsidiary, L&T Construction, secured the contract, which falls within the large contract category, valued between ₹2,500 and ₹5,000 crore.
The bridge's design is as impressive as its scale. Spanning 19 kilometers, it will carry National Highway 127-B. The centerpiece will be a majestic 12.625 km extradosed bridge, a cable-stayed variant known for its efficiency and aesthetics.
This central section will be supported by robust well foundations. To ensure seamless connectivity on either side of the Brahmaputra, approach viaducts and interchanges are planned.
The Dhubri side will feature a 3.5 km viaduct, while Phulbari will have a 2.2 km counterpart.
Scheduled for completion in September 2028, the bridge is already under construction. L&T marked a significant milestone in February 2022 with the launch of the first precast segment.
The Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge's impact transcends mere travel time reduction. It will be a catalyst for socio-economic development in the region.
Improved connectivity will unlock a plethora of benefits for Assam and Meghalaya.
Residents on both sides will have enhanced access to healthcare, educational institutions, and job opportunities.
This improved mobility will act as a bridge (quite literally) between communities, fostering trade and commerce.
The bridge will also play a strategic role, bolstering connectivity to India's northeastern borders.
S V Desai, Whole Time Director & Senior Executive Vice President (Civil Infrastructure) at L&T, aptly characterises the project's significance.
He terms it an "extremely challenging project" and expresses gratitude to the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd for entrusting L&T with the responsibility of building this "defining piece of infrastructure."
Desai went on to highlight the bridge's potential to serve as a trade corridor, giving a "huge fillip" to commerce in the region and accelerating development across the northeastern states.
Construction is well underway, with L&T launching the first precast segment in February 2022. While the journey is significant, the destination is grand.
The Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge is slated for completion and inauguration by September 2028, marking a new chapter in connectivity and progress for the Northeast.
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