The people of Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh feel that the utilities of Dhola-Sadiya bridge, also known as Bhupen Hazarika Setu, and Bogibeel bridge could be enhanced if small bridges, including rural ones, are repaired.

“The Dhola-Sadiya bridge in Upper Assam’s Tinsukia district, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 26, 2017, has changed the lives of thousands of people in Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. But several small bridges on National Highway 37 are in poor condition. Communication in the region can be improved if they are reconstructed,” said Nityanand Barua, a resident of Dangari, 14km from here, in Tinsukia district of Assam. “The RCC bridge at Dangari has worn out at many places and needs immediate repair to thwart any mishap,” he added.

The Dhola-Sadiya bridge caters to the needs of the people of Sadiya in Tinsukia district and Upper Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley districts in eastern Arunachal Pradesh. The people of this region now have an easy access to Tinsukia town for trade and to Dibrugarh for better healthcare facilities.

Earlier, the people were solely dependent on ferry services to cross the Brahmaputra, the Kundil, the Dhola and a stretch of the Lohit. The 9.15km bridge is reportedly the longest in the country.

“Just 1km east of Dhola-Sadiya bridge, there is a small bridge over Kherbari rivulet that connects Bishonimukh village under the Dhola block. The bridge is in a dilapidated condition. We urge the government to repair it,” Mohanlal Biswas, a resident, said.

Another resident, Vashishtha Arya, said, “A wooden bridge that connects Daisajan Bil Line and dozens of villages to schools, colleges, tea estates, markets and towns is in a shambles. It is risky to walk over it even on foot during the rains when the Daisajan rivulet is flooded. I hope the government is aware of the problems that we face everyday owing to the absence of a good bridge. We are proud of Bogibeel bridge but we expect the government to repair the small bridges too to help students, patients and office-goers.” Several bridges in the rural belt of Sadiya and Margherita subdivisions need repair, he added.

Bogibeel bridge that spans 4.94km and connects the north and south banks of the Brahmaputra to was inaugurated on December 25, 2018, in Dibrugarh. It has become the lifeline for the people of Dibrugarh and Dhemaji districts.