Bogibeel Bridge - rail cum road bridge in India
Bogibeel Bridge, also known as Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, is the longest rail-cum-road bridge in India Built in the state of Assam Across the Brahmaputra River. It is also the second-largest rail-cum-road Bridge in Asia. The bogibeel bridge length is 4.9 Km connecting Dibrugarh in Assam and Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh.
It's also India's fifth-largest Bridge after Bhupen Hazarika Setu, Dibang River Bridge, Mahatma Gandhi Setu, and Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
Traveling to North-East India has always been time-consuming and tiresome due to the connectivity problem and poor infrastructure in the region. Thereupon the bridge is considered as a boon to the people of North-East India.
Hindustan Construction Company constructed it. It is known for its spectacular design by making it the only bridge which is built with full welded steel-concrete composite girders in India.
The bridge is constructed at an earthquake-prone area for which the layout was created in such a manner that it can withstand earthquakes of size up to 7 on the Richter Scale. It carries a double line broad gauge railway track on the lower floor and three-lane roads on the upper floor.
Apart from the fame and pride factor of this bridge, it has reduced the time-consuming journey from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh by four hours. The train moves five days a week. It has facilitated the defense of the country as it will help easy transport of troops to the Indo-China border in Arunachal Pradesh.
When was the Bogibeel Bridge inaugurated?
Prime Minister Narendra Modiji inaugurated the Bridge in May 2017 on the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. While establishing, he dedicated the bridge to the great musician and film-maker Bhupen Hazarika.
Background of the Bogibeel Bridge:
The bridge was inaugurated in 2017, but its foundation was part of the Assam Accord, 1985. The government of India sanctioned the bridge in 1997-98 and was expected to be completed by 2002. Though Prime Minister H.D.Deva Gowda laid the foundation of the Bridge in January 1997, it was inaugurated by Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee in 2002.
The project was estimated to be completed within six years of its inauguration, but the work did not start until 2007, due to a lack of funds and interest. In the same year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved the Bogibeel Bridge as a national project status.
In April 2008, the Northeast Frontier Railway gave the contract to Gammon India Limited to build the substructure of this bridge along with Hindustan Construction Company because of consortium. The implementation was still sluggish, and the actual job started in 2011. It took 21 years to complete the construction of the bridge
Who funded the construction of the Bogibeel Bridge?
The Union Ministry of Finance provided 75% of the fund for the project costs while the remaining 25% was financed by the Ministry of Railways.
The estimated cost of the bridge is ₹ 5,900 crore which is a three-fold increase from the original cost estimation. Due to excessive impediment in its implementation, the value of the project increased by 85% from the initial sanctioned estimated cost, which was of ₹ 3,230.02 crore. This project suffered from bureaucratic plagues like any other project in India.
Some Interesting facts about Bogibeel Bridge
1. The Bogibeel Bridge has reduced the traveling distance to the Northeast Region by 165 Km. Thus, saving fuel worth of ₹ 10 Lakhs every day.
2. The Bridge has reduced the train journey between Delhi and Dibrugarh from 37 hours to 34 hours linking Guwahati by a reduction of 3 hours.
3. This Bridge is the fourth bridge being built on the river, the others being Pandu Saraighat, Kolia-Bjumuraguri, and Naranarayan Setu at Jogighopa, all of them in Assam.
4. It is the longest bridge being built on the River Brahmaputra and is the country's fourth-largest bridge.
5. It took 21 years to complete the bridge and has a serviceable period of around 120 years.
6. The Bogibeel bridge is designed with 41 spans of 125 m of composite welded steel truss and reinforced concrete.
7. The Bridge has been built in 32 meters above the water level of Brahmaputra River.
8. 20,000 tons of steel was supplied by Essar steel for the construction of the bridge.
9. The structure was of the bridge was restricted only to November to March due to the overflow, and early flooding of the Brahmaputra river makes which makes it dangerous to work.
The long-awaited bridge after suffering all the problems which were due to inordinate delay and bureaucratic red tape was completed and inaugurated with a hope that this will bring economic development to the region of North-East.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Bogibeel bridge is built over which river?
Ans: The Bogibeel bridge is constructed over the Brahmaputra River of Assam, India.
2. Bogibeel bridge connects which states?
Ans: This bridge connects Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
3. What is the length of the Bogibeel bridge
Ans: The length of the Bridge is about 4.9 kms.