GUWAHATI: In a major boost to connectivity, the New Development Bank has approved USD 333.80 million for the construction of a 4-lane extra-dosed bridge over the Brahmaputra River connecting Palashbari and Sualkuchi in Assam.
The New Development Bank is funding the second bridge project over the Brahmaputra.
The bank had earlier funded the under-construction Guwahati-North Guwahati six-lane bridge.
The name of the project is the construction of a 4-lane extra-dosed PSC bridge over the river Brahmaputra connecting Palashbari and Sualkuchi, including viaduct, approaches, and River Training Works etc, in Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode.
Notably, the Assam government previously sought funding for the Assam Bridge Project-II from the New Development Bank (NDB) through the central government. The bank has now approved a loan of over USD 333 million for the project.
The Assam government will contribute Rs 6.77 billion as counterpart funding, while the NDB will provide a loan of $333.80 million for the new Brahmaputra bridge.
Currently, Guwahati has two bridges in operation. The third one, the Assam Bridge, financed by NDB, is under construction.
In a bid to enhance the much-needed transport infrastructure, the Assam government has proposed the construction of another bridge across the Brahmaputra River, which will connect the towns of Palasbari and Sualkuchi on the western edge of the Guwahati Metropolitan Area (GMA).
The project will establish a direct link between the northern and southern parts of the GMA, fostering comprehensive development in line with the Guwahati Metropolitan Area Master Plan (2025).
The project involves constructing a 12.2-km bridge across the Brahmaputra River, linking Palasbari and Sualkuchi towns within the Guwahati Metropolitan Area.
Besides improving connectivity, the project will provide a diversion for regional and urban traffic and directly link the international airport to the industrial areas around Sualkuchi, currently under development.
The project is slated for completion within four years and will be executed by the state government through it’s the Assam Public Works Roads Department (APWRD).
The New Development Bank, formerly known as the BRICS Development Bank, is a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS states (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
