SHILLONG: Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, conducted an inspection of the ongoing construction of the Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge, poised to become India’s longest bridge over water, on Wednesday.
The ambitious project, spanning 19 km across the Brahmaputra River, aims to connect the states of Assam and Meghalaya, transforming regional connectivity.
Taking to a social media platform after the inspection, Sangma shared, “Inspected the ongoing construction of the longest bridge connecting Dhubri in Assam to Phulbari in Meghalaya over the mighty Brahmaputra River. This bridge will minimize traveling time from Phulbari to Dhubri and will be a huge economic boon bridging the two states. Look forward to seeing its completion.”
Chief Minister was accompanied by Home Minister Prestone Tynsong, Power Minister AT Mondal and Sprots Minister Shakliar Warjri.
Projected for completion by September 2028, the Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge will boast four lanes, significantly reducing the distance between Assam and Meghalaya by approximately 203 km.
The bridge, undertaken by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at an estimated cost of Rs 3,200 crore.
This enhancement in transport connectivity within the Northeast and the rest of India is expected to have a transformative impact on the economic landscape of the area.
Once completed, the bridge is set to facilitate smoother movement of people and goods, offering a faster and more reliable alternative to the current routes.
The journey, which presently takes more than 8 hours by land and around 2.5 hours by ferry, will be trimmed to a mere 23 minutes, providing a flood-free route even during the monsoon season.
Upon completion, the Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge will surpass the length of the current longest bridge in India, the Dhola-Sadiya Bridge.
This architectural marvel will stand as a vital link between the two states, fostering growth and development in the region.
Interestingly, the Chief Minister’s visit aligns with the ongoing efforts of the Meghalaya government, currently involved in repairing the bridge over Umiam Lake in the state.
