Sitharaman approves new bridge over Brahmaputra connecting Palashbari, Sualkuchi

Earlier, the Union minister also inspected the construction of an 8.4 km long six-lane bridge connecting Guwahati with North Guwahati. To be constructed at a cost of ₹2,608 crore by the state PWD department, the foundation stone of the bridge was laid by PM Modi in 2019 and it is expected to be completed in 2023.

Published on: Oct 7, 2021, 22:24:03 IST

By Utpal Parashar

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Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday gave her ministry’s approval for a new bridge over the Brahmaputra River connecting Palashbari and Sualkuchi.

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman inspecting work on the six-lane bridge connecting Guwahati to North Guwahati on Thursday. (PHOTO CREDIT: DIPR.)

Construction of the bridge will reduce the distance between Palashbari, located 27 km from Guwahati, and Sualkuchi, the centre of Assam’s silk production, located around 35 km from Guwahati. The bridge is expected to cost ₹3,094 crore.

Making the announcement at a function in Guwahati, Sitharaman, who was on a day’s visit to Assam, said that the bridge would reduce travel time to Guwahati from districts Nalbari, Barpeta and Baksa located on the north bank.

Earlier, the Union minister also inspected the construction of an 8.4 km long six-lane bridge connecting Guwahati with North Guwahati. To be constructed at a cost of ₹2,608 crore by the state PWD department, the foundation stone of the bridge was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 and it is expected to get completed in 2023.

Launching the web-portal of Right to Public Services, Sitharaman said that the service would bring the public close to development without them having to run after government systems and procedures.

“This web-portal is a way forward towards electronic delivery of public services to the people as a means of real time governance,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on the occasion adding that it will ensure that nobody is left behind from development agenda.

Earlier in the day Sitharaman conducted ‘bhoomi pujan’ of the 120 MW hydro-electric project on the Kopili River at Dima Hasao district. The Asian Development Bank funded project is expected to be completed by 2024.

The finance minister also laid the foundation stone of improvement and upgradation work of the 90 km long road from Halflong Tiniali to Lower Halflong in Dima Hasao district.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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