Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating India’s Longest Bridge, Dhola Sadiya Bridge on 26th May 2017. The 9.15-km-long Dhola Sadiya Bridge spanning over Brahmaputra River will overtake Mahatma Gandhi Setu of 5.75 km in the list of longest bridges in India over water. Situated in the state of Assam near China border, the bridge withstanding the weight of a 60-tonne battle tank connects the states, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The construction of the bridge began in 2011 at a project cost of Rs 950 crore. The pictures and amazing facts related to Dhola Sadiya Bridge are only adding to the curiosity around it. It is 3.55 km longer than the Bandra-Worli sea link in Mumbai, making it the longest bridge in India. World’s highest rail bridge over River Chenab in India is taller than Eiffel Tower! Pics & facts of Indian engineering marvel.
The inauguration of Dhola Sadiya Bridge will begin the celebrations of the NDA government’s three years in office from this eastern-most part of Assam. The bridge over Brahmaputra River is 9.15-kilometre-long and 12.9-metre-wide connecting Dhola and Sadia Ghats. The construction of Dhola Sadia Bridge was done keeping in mind its defence requirements along the Sino-Indian border. Apart from the military purposes, the bridge will give easy access to the people of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam with air and rail connectivity.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “The prime minister will dedicate the strategically important bridge to the nation on 26 May. It will bolster the road connectivity in the Northeast as the bridge will be used by people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh besides defence forces extensively.”
The CM further added on the bridge’s significance in times of conflict by saying, “Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have huge strategic value to the country. Since the bridge is located close to our border with China, it will help quick movement of military troops and artillery in times of conflict.” There are several key features and facts about the longest bridge in India, Dhola Sadiya Bridge. Here’s a look at it.
1. Location of the Longest Bridge In India: Dhola Sadiya Bridge, India’s Longest Bridge is located 540-km away from Assam capital Dispur and 300 km away from Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar. The longest bridge on water in India, Dhola-Sadiya is constructed on river Brahmaputra between Dhola and Sadia Ghats. The aerial distance to the Chinese border is less than 100 km.
2. Dimensions of Dhola Sadiya Bridge: Dhola Sadiya Bridge is 9500 metre-long and 12.9-metre-wide with an external post-tensioned bridge with 183 spans each of 50 metres (160 ft) along with a two-lane connecting road from Dhola Bazaar to Islampur Tiniali. The existing single way on Dhola side, which was of 7.297 km and turning it into double lane with a paved shoulder on Sadia side of 11.874 km.
3. Construction of India’s Longest Bridge: Construction of Dhola Sadiya Bridge began in 2011 under the aegis of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in public-private partnership (PPP) with Navayuga Engineering Company Limited, Hyderabad. The ambitious project was led by Mr B Surya Raju, Chief Project Manager and under the supervision of Mr K Jagadishwara Rao, the Director of Navayuga Engineering Company Limited. It has been made at a budget of whopping 950 crore rupees.
4. Date of Inauguration: The bridge was originally scheduled to open in 2015. The BJP government in Assam will complete one year in office on May 24. Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi will be doing the inauguration of India’s Longest Bride, Dhola Sadia on 26th May 2017. This event kick-starts the NDA government’s three years tenure in office at the eastern-most part of Assam.
5. Reduction in travel time: The Dhola Sadia Bridge when opened to the public, will cut down the travel time between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh by as much as four hours. At present, the travel time is 8 hours from Dhola Gaon to Sadiya Islampur Tiniali via Parsuram Kund Bridge, while using the water ferry service in Brahmaputra River it takes about 4.50 hours. The new project will help the commuters travel in flat hasslefree 30 minutes, saving up to four hours. As there is no civilian airport in Arunachal Pradesh, this bridge will help people of the state to reach the nearest rail head in Tinsukia and the airport in Dibrugarh quickly.
