The Bogibeel Bridge crosses the Brahmaputra River between the districts of Dhemaji and Dibrugarh in the northeastern Indian state of Assam as a combination road and rail bridge. It spans the Brahmaputra River for 4.94 km, making it India’s longest rail-road bridge. The bridge was built beginning in 2002, and it was finished in over 16 years. The Bogibeel Bridge is the second-longest rail-road bridge in Asia and has been designed to have an operational life of 120 years.
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Bogibeel Bridge: Location
The Bogibeel Bridge crosses the Brahmaputra River downstream from Dibrugarh and Dhemaji by 17 km. The bridge connects the southern town of Dibrugarh to the northern bank of the river, where Dhemaji is located. Around five million people who live in Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh may now go across the bridge, which replaces the Kolia Bhomora Setu in Tezpur and is a little over 20 km from the boundary between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Bogibeel Bridge: Road connectivity
National Highway 15 connects Assam’s Dhemaji and Dibrugarh districts via the Bogibeel Bridge. The bridge’s road deck has three lanes and is wide enough to accommodate both cars and trucks. As the road deck is atop the rail deck, no obstructions will prevent either rail or road traffic from using the bridge. As a result of the bridge’s improved road accessibility, commuters between the Dhemaji and Dibrugarh districts now travel farther and faster. Also, previously difficult-to-reach isolated districts of Arunachal Pradesh are now more easily accessible.
Bogibeel Bridge: Rail connectivity
The Rangiya-Murkongselek section of the Northeast Frontier Railway, which is situated on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River, and the Lumding-Dibrugarh segment, which is situated on the southern bank, are connected by the Bogibeel Bridge. A second rail line on the bridge’s lower deck allows it to carry both passenger and freight trains. Trains moving between the two parts of the bridge now move farther and faster thanks to the rail connection. The region’s rail network has been able to grow thanks to the bridge’s construction, with additional train stations and rail lines being built.
Bogibeel Bridge: Significance
The Bogibeel Bridge is crucial from a strategic perspective for India since it makes it easier for India to send troops and supplies to the Arunachal Pradesh border with Tibet. The location where the bridge is situated is vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. As a result, the fact that construction mostly took place only during a period of four dry months between November and March substantially slowed down its construction. Nonetheless, the bridge’s distinctive design elements, such as fully welded steel-concrete support beams that can survive earthquakes with a Richter scale of up to 7, guarantee its security and robustness.
For Assamese citizens, especially those who reside in isolated and vulnerable to flooding areas, the bridge has changed everything. It has facilitated economic development and cultural interaction by bringing them closer to their surrounding communities and the rest of the nation. The Bogibeel Bridge is not simply a physical building; it is also a representation of India’s dedication to growth and advancement, and its significance goes beyond the confines of the area it serves. The bridge is a major achievement for India and is widely regarded as a significant landmark in the country’s modern history.
Bogibeel Bridge: History
The Bogibeel Bridge was actually put into construction in 2011 by the Hindustan Construction Company (HCC). 42 pillars support the 4.94-km-long bridge, which is supported by them. It has a three-lane highway on the upper deck and a two-line broad gauge railway on the lower deck. The bridge was constructed for about Rs 4,857 crore. The region’s extreme weather patterns posed one of the biggest difficulties during the bridge’s construction. For the building workers, the region’s frequent severe rain, flooding, and high temperatures posed serious challenges.
On December 25, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bogibeel Bridge, and on December 28, the bridge was made accessible to the general public. The completion of this, India’s longest rail-road bridge, greatly increased the region’s transportation connectivity. The bridge has made it quicker and easier for people to move between the north and south sides of the Brahmaputra River, cutting the distance between Dibrugarh and Guwahati by several hours.
FAQs
Where is the Bogibeel Bridge located?
The Bogibeel Bridge is located in the northeastern Indian state of Assam, spanning the Brahmaputra River between the districts of Dhemaji and Dibrugarh.
When was the Bogibeel Bridge built?
Construction of the Bogibeel Bridge began in 2002 and was completed in 2018, taking a total of 200 months to build.
What is the length of the Bogibeel Bridge?
The Bogibeel Bridge is 4.94 km long, making it India's longest rail-road bridge.
What is the significance of the Bogibeel Bridge?
The Bogibeel Bridge is strategically significant for India as it improves access to the Arunachal Pradesh border with Tibet. It also facilitates economic development and cultural interaction by bringing isolated communities closer together.
How is the Bogibeel Bridge accessed?
The Bogibeel Bridge is accessible by both road and rail. National Highway 15 connects the Dhemaji and Dibrugarh districts via the bridge, while the Northeast Frontier Railway connects the northern and southern banks of the Brahmaputra River.
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