PM Modi launches Rs 3,231 crore 'Mahabahu-Brahmaputra' project, lays foundation of 2 bridges in Assam
"The work needed to be done on the Brahmaputra stalled for decades and connectivity in Assam and the entire Northeast region remained a major challenge," said PM Modi.
FollowPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched the 'Mahabahu-Brahmaputra' and also laid the foundation stone of Dhubri Phulbari Bridge via video conferencing. He also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Majuli Bridge.
The 'Mahabahu-Brahmaputra' program is aimed at providing seamless connectivity to the Eastern parts of India and includes various development activities for the people living around River Brahmaputra and River Barak.
Following the launch, PM Modi said that in the past few years, the double engine of the Governments at the Centre and Assam made an effort to reduce the geographical and cultural gaps in the entire region.
"The work needed to be done on the Brahmaputra stalled for decades and connectivity in Assam and the entire Northeast region remained a major challenge," said PM Modi.
"With the coming of Mahabahu Brahmaputra, work is now being done at a fast pace," said the PM.
The Ro-Pax services will help in reducing travel time by providing connectivity between banks and thus reducing the distance to be travelled by road, the PMO noted. Ro-Pax operation between Neamati and Majuli will reduce the total distance of 420 km currently being travelled by vehicles to only 12 km, resulting in a substantial impact on logistics of small-scale industries of the region.
Foundation stone to be laid for Dhubri-Phulbari bridge
·  The four-lane bridge will run over the Brahmaputra river between Dhubri (on North Bank) and Phulbari (on South Bank).
·  The proposed bridge will be located on NH-127B, originating from Srirampur on NH-27 (East-West Corridor), and terminating at Nongstoin on NH-106 in the State of Meghalaya.
·   It will connect Dhubri in Assam to Phulbari, Tura, Rongram and Rongjeng in Meghalaya.
·  The bridge will be built at a total cost of approximately 4,997 crore.
·  The need for this bridge was felt in April 2012, when a boat carrying 305 passengers had capsized on the Brahmaputra.
Modi also launched two e-portals to further ease of doing business. The Car-D (Cargo Data) portal will collate cargo and cruise data on a real-time basis. PANI (Portal for Asset and Navigation Information) will act as a one-stop solution for providing information about river navigation and infrastructure.
