Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sought the intervention of Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari to resume construction work on the Majuli-Jorhat bridge, which has been stalled since September 5, 2024.
The chief minister, in a letter to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, urged for immediate action to ensure the project’s completion by December 2025.
Notably, the two-lane bridge over the Brahmaputra River will connect Majuli on the North Bank with Jorhat on the South Bank in Assam.
We have noticed that work on the Jorhat-Majuli bridge over the Brahmaputra has come to a standstill since September 5. I have written to Hon’ble Union Minister Shri @nitin_gadkari Ji requesting his immediate intervention to ensure that we don’t miss the Dec 2025 completion date. pic.twitter.com/jka5UBLtxk
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 27, 2024
The project was awarded to UP State Bridge Corporation Limited under the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) mode by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in August 2021.
The CM expressed concern over the lack of accountability from the contractor, UP State Bridge Corporation Limited, and stated that the delay could jeopardize the entire project.
“The infrastructure project worth Rs 650 crore holds immense significance and the timely completion of the project is essential for the connectivity and economic development of Majuli and the entire region,” CM Sarma stated.
He further stated that the current dry season is a crucial period for construction. “As the dry season has commenced, this period is crucial for ensuring steady progress and any delay at this stage could result in substantial loss of working days, which may lead to significant time and cost overruns,” he said.
The chief minister urged the union minister to take immediate corrective measures, such as re-tendering the project if necessary, to ensure that work resumes and the target completion date is met.
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Sarma has appealed to Nitin Gadkari for prompt measures to avoid further delays and ensure Assam’s development remains on track.
