Bogibeel: The Road cum Rail Bridge

The Bogibeel bridge dates back to the 1985 Assam Accord and was one of several significant infrastructure projects established in Assam as part of the agreement. It was approved by the Government of India in 1997-98 and was scheduled to be finished by the conclusion of the Ninth Five-Year Plan. Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda laid the cornerstone for the bridge in January 1997, but Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee inaugurated its construction in 2002.

On the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on December 25, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bogibeel bridge and launched an intercity express connecting Tinsukia and Naharlagun.

The Bogibeel Bridge, which crosses the powerful Brahmaputra River, is a representation of both geographical change and engineering prowess. Only 17 km downstream from Dibrugarh in Assam, at 4.94 km, it is the longest rail-and-road bridge in India. This bridge, which is only the second of its kind after the Saraighat bridge in Guwahati, is particularly noteworthy for connecting the train networks of the North and South banks of the Brahmaputra.

Before Bogibeel, the next road bridge is Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Setu, which is approximately 134 kilometers away, and the nearest rail bridge is Saraighat Bridge, which is approximately 580 kilometers away, making travel between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh both time-consuming and difficult. This major infrastructure project now saves nearly three hours of travel time for residents of both states, making it simpler to access medical care, education, and airports.

However, Bogibeel's significance extends beyond its advantages for civilians. The bridge is strategically important for the defense of the country. India's security posture in the northeast is strengthened by its proximity to the 4,000-kilometer India-China border, which allows for the quick deployment of troops and equipment. Chief Engineer Mohinder Singh claims that the structure, which was constructed at an estimated cost of ₹5,900 crore, is intended to last an amazing 120 years.

It is India's longest combined rail and road bridge and Assam's second-longest bridge across the Brahmaputra, making it a popular tourist destination. The bridge, along with the Bogibeel Ghat, is now a popular river tourism site, where visitors may enjoy river cruises and houseboats.