27th May 2017 08:05:PM Editorials
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

The inauguration of the Dhola-Sadiya bridge or the Bhupen Hazarika Setu by PM Narendra Modi on May 26 is a historical moment for the remote communities residing in Assam and Arunachal. This bridge has ‘bridged the gap’ in every sense of the word.

Built over the turbulent Lohit river, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, the bridge will reduce travel time between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh by up to four hours. Every year, the river swells following heavy rainfall and the boats stop plying leaving Assam's Sadiya and Eastern Arunachal Pradesh cut off from the rest of the country.

The bridge will now allow commuters an all-weather access as opposed to earlier times when the river could be crossed only through means of boat. Communication was at the mercy of the weather and also on boatmen.

Residents especially on the Arunachal side stand to gain the most. People of the frontier state are dependent on Assam for all basic necessities including health care. For residents who have been using this river link for ages, the bridge is nothing short materialisation of a dream. During the torrential monsoon season, people were left stranded because of the surge in the Lohit. The eastern part of Arunachal, stands to gain the most. The bridge will facilitate easy access to goods at competitive prices and also emergency medical patients will get easier access to hospitals in Assam.

Alongside this, the strategic importance of the bridge for the military is huge. With the bridge, troops will be able to enter Arunachal Pradesh, which borders China, much more quickly and easily. The bridge has been designed to withstand the weight of 60-tonne battle tanks. There is no existing bridge in the region that is strong enough to allow the travel of tanks to Tinsukia, from where troops usually enter Arunachal.

At 9.15 km long, the bridge is an engineering marvel and literally will connect and bring closer the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.


Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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