One of the most controversial and disputed bridges in India – the Dhola Sadiya bridge has now been inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi. The 9.15 kilometres long bridge, also called the Bhupen Hazarika Setu on river Lohit (Brahmaputra tributary) is India’s longest ever bridge but why is it so controversial?
Dhola Sadiya bridge connecting Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
PM Modi tweeted:
Here are 7 key facts about the Dhola-Sadiya bridge - the longest over water bridge in India.
- The road bridge connects the town Dhola in Assam to Sadiya in Arunachal Pradesh and the main controversy is that China claims Arunachal Pradesh to be its territory and refers to it as ‘Southern Tibet’. But India strongly believes that Arunachal Pradesh always belongs to it.
- Timeline: The contruction of the Dhola Sadiya bridge began back in 2011 and is considered an infrastructural feat for India’s north east. It was meant to finish in 2015 but opened only on May 26, 2017.
- Cost: The bridge was constructed on a budget of 2,056 crore.
- Maintenance: It is maintained by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in public private partnership (PPP) with Navayuga Engineering Company Limited.
- Other Name for the bridge: The bridge has been named by the PM after celebrated poet and musician from Assam – Bhupen Hazarika.
- The Dhola- Sadiya bridge makes sure the connection between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh is more stable. Previously, ferry by the river was the only mode of transport which was risky and heavily flood prone.
- The bridge has been designed to handle the weight of 60 tonne battle tanks.
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