HomeLatestAssam set to open new bridge easing congestion

Assam set to open new bridge easing congestion

As Dibrugarh inches closer to its annual Rongali Bihu festivities, residents are expecting more than cultural celebration this year. A much-delayed yet deeply anticipated rail overbridge (ROB) at Thana Chariali is finally nearing completion, signalling an end to two years of acute traffic congestion and commuter hardship in one of Assam’s busiest urban corridors. Constructed at a sanctioned cost of ₹57 crore, the project is being jointly funded by the Assam Public Works Department and the Northeast Frontier Railway.

The ROB, designed as a two-lane elevated passage, will re-establish smooth vehicular flow between Thana Chariali and Chowkidinghee—two strategic points that had become bottlenecks due to the old bridge’s dismantling and ongoing construction. The bridge, originally constructed in 1965, holds considerable historical value for the city. However, rapid urbanisation, increasing vehicle density, and the structural fatigue of the original bridge necessitated a major overhaul. For residents and businesses around the area, the last two years have been marked by daily struggle. With narrow detours and unrelenting traffic diversions, the locality saw significant pressure on its by-lanes, disrupting lives and mobility. The completion of this new infrastructure is thus being viewed not just as a functional improvement but a form of urban justice—restoring accessibility to one of Dibrugarh’s most central junctions.
The final phase of the project is currently under way with workers placing tiles and wrapping up the painting and polishing. The state government, under the watch of Dibrugarh MLA and Minister, has been closely monitoring progress. His recent site inspection underscores the political urgency behind completing the bridge ahead of Bihu, a timeline that carries not just administrative significance but emotional resonance for the residents. Sources close to the project indicate that the Chief Minister is likely to inaugurate the overbridge during his visit to the city later this month, adding weight to its symbolic and strategic importance.
Beyond the civic and historical importance of the bridge, the project underscores a larger trend in Assam’s infrastructure narrative—of recalibrating transport architecture in fast-growing cities through collaborative investments between state and central agencies. As Dibrugarh continues to evolve as a regional economic and healthcare hub, such upgrades are vital to maintaining both its liveability and logistical competitiveness. The ROB, once operational, will likely reduce carbon emissions from idling vehicles, shorten commute times, and offer safer passage for emergency and goods transport. It also aligns with India’s long-term vision of sustainable, equitable, and net-zero urban centres, especially in the Northeast where infrastructure gaps often hamper inclusive development.
While the residents await the final ribbon-cutting, the real achievement lies in how a public utility project has the potential to transform everyday life. Whether it’s schoolchildren boarding buses with fewer delays, small traders reconnecting with their markets, or ambulances navigating traffic-free lanes, the impact of the new bridge will be felt not just in numbers but in lived human experience. Dibrugarh may soon breathe a little easier—and move a lot faster.
Assam set to open new bridge easing congestion
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