The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the Bogibeel railway-road bridge, marking an epoch in the cultural and infrastructural development of Assam. The bridge, spanning an impressive 4.94 km over the Brahmaputra River, not only connects the Dibrugarh and Dhemaji districts of Assam but also establishes a link between two national highways—NH-37 on the south bank and NH-52 on the north bank.
Despite its impressive length, the Bogibeel bridge ranks fourth in comparison with the other bridges across water. The neighbouring Dhola-Sadiya road bridge (9.15 km), the Patna-Hajipur road bridge (5.75 km), and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (5.6 km) hold the first three spots. The construction of the Bogibeel bridge took more than three decades; the project was initially promised as part of the Assam Accord in 1985, an initiative aimed at boosting the state’s infrastructure.
| Bridge | Length |
|---|---|
| Dhola-Sadiya Road Bridge | 9.15 km |
| Patna-Hajipur Road Bridge | 5.75 km |
| Bandra-Worli Sea Link | 5.6 km |
| Bogibeel Bridge | 4.94 km |
Significance of the Bogibeel Bridge
The Bogibeel Bridge is not merely a monument of engineering; it holds tremendous regional and international significance. The bridge significantly reduces the distance between Dibrugarh in Assam and the Arunachal Pradesh capital, Itanagar. This connection will benefit tourists, facilitate trade goods transportation and make medical treatment more accessible for individuals travelling from remote areas.
Bogibeel Bridge: A Strategic Investment for Defence and International Relations
The Bogibeel Bridge will play a pivotal role in facilitating quicker movement of troops and equipment to areas near the India-China border. This strategic advantage can be a game-changer for India in terms of defence preparedness.
Moreover, with improved intra-North-East connectivity, the Bridge will enable transnational linkages like the trilateral highway connecting Manipur to Thailand. Other potential connectivity routes include rail connections through Bangladesh between mainland India and Tripura. These infrastructural developments will potentially open up unprecedented economic opportunities in the region, ending its isolation, and strengthening India’s international relations.