Bogibeel Bridge Dedicated to the Nation

With a length of 4.94 km, Bogibeel Bridge over the mighty river Brahmaputra is a very significant bridge due to the following reasons.

1) It is India's longest rail-cum-road bridge and Asia's 2nd longest rail-cum-road bridge. Also, it is the 2nd longest bridge in Assam.

2) The bridge is a blessing for the people of Upper Assam and the nearby parts of Arunachal Pradesh. Before its inauguration, ferries were the main means of transport to cross the Brahmaputra. This was a costlier option. After the bridge was inaugurated, people could simply drive their vehicles on it or take a bus or train.

3) Bogibeel Bridge provides all-day, all-weather connectivity. The ferries would operate only from sunrise to sunset. And during the rough monsoons, services would frequently get cancelled, leaving people with no feasible mode of transportation.

4) The bridge is of strategic importance to India's defence as it will greatly enhance its ability to move troops and supplies from the southern bank of Brahmaputra in Assam to the river's northern bank in the state and subsequently to Arunachal Pradesh, which borders China. Remember that China has claims on parts of Arunachal Pradesh, and in case of any conflict, the connectivity that Bogibeel Bridge provides will be critical to India's interests. Thus, the bridge adds immensely to our national security.

This blog contains 12 photos from the inauguration of Bogibeel Bridge. The photos were shot in Bogibeel Ghat and on Brahmaputra.

The commissioning of Bogibeel Bridge is India's way of telling China, "Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of our country. Stay off!"

Locations :
Dibrugarh District, Assam;
Aboard ferries on Brahmaputra River.

Photos shot in December 2018.

All photos © S Srikant.

The Bogibeel Bridge over Brahmaputra at Bogibeel Ghat, on the day before its inauguration. 2 army soldiers (right) are seen patrolling, while the boat (left) houses officials of Northeast Frontier Railway.

Bogibeel Bridge over the mighty Brahmaputra.

Section of Bogibeel Bridge carrying railway lines. A worker can be seen.

A ferry on Brahmaputra carrying passengers and their motorcycles and cars, as Bogibeel Bridge forms the backdrop.

People and their vehicles being ferried on boat across the Brahmaputra.

Workers giving finishing touches on the road over the bridge. Note the river bed in the dry winter.

The day before the inauguration of Bogibeel Bridge was nostalgic for some as it was the last day of commercial ferry service. Seen here is one of the last ferry services in the evening.

The day before the inauguration of Bogibeel Bridge was nostalgic for some as it was the last day of commercial ferry service. Seen here is one of the last ferry services in the evening.

Tinsukia - Naharlagun Inaugural Special slowly makes its way towards Bogibeel Bridge, on the inauguration day of the bridge.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the public from the top of Bogibeel Bridge in Bogibeel Ghat, after inaugurating the road section.

After addressing the public, Narendra Modi flagged off the train services on Bogibeel Bridge. Pictured here is the locomotive of Tinsukia - Naharlagun Inaugural Special as it enters the bridge in Bogibeel Ghat.

People in Bogibeel Ghat watch as the train passes on Bogibeel Bridge on a historic day for Upper Assam and the adjoining areas of Arunachal Pradesh.