Guwahati, 14 January (HS): The Bogibeel rail-cum-road bridge over the Brahmaputra in Assam has today emerged not only as a remarkable engineering achievement but also as a vital lifeline for Upper Assam and neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. Stretching 4.94 kilometres, the bridge is among the longest river bridges in India and connects Dibrugarh and Dhemaji, bringing closer communities that remained geographically isolated for generations.

Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Kapinjal Sharma, on Wednesday said that while the Brahmaputra has sustained Assam’s fertile plains for centuries, it also posed major challenges to mobility and access to essential services during the monsoon. Ferry services and weather-dependent travel were often long and uncertain, a situation that has been completely transformed by the Bogibeel Bridge. The bridge now provides uninterrupted all-weather rail and road connectivity.

He said the dedication of the bridge to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a historic moment, signifying not just infrastructure development but the beginning of a new era of modern connectivity in a culturally rich yet geographically challenging region.

According to the CPRO, the impact of the bridge on people’s lives has been immediate and profound. Residents of the north bank of the Brahmaputra can now easily access Dibrugarh, a major hub for healthcare, education and trade. Travel time for students, patients, traders and workers has reduced significantly. Small businesses have gained access to new markets, farmers are able to transport their produce faster, and essential services are no longer constrained by geographical barriers.

He further stated that from an economic perspective, the Bogibeel Bridge has accelerated the pace of development in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Tourism has received a boost, supply chains have strengthened, and new opportunities for industrial and commercial investment have opened up. Towns once considered remote are now gaining greater prominence on the economic map.

Highlighting its strategic importance, the CPRO said the bridge strengthens connectivity along the eastern frontier and enhances national security and disaster management capabilities. Its dual-use design for both rail and road traffic ensures reliable and resilient transportation even during adverse weather conditions.

He added that today the Bogibeel Bridge stands for much more than steel and concrete. It has become a bridge connecting communities, opportunities and aspirations, bringing Northeast India closer to the national mainstream. For the people of Assam, it is not merely a crossing over a river, but a symbol of a more connected, confident and hopeful future.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash