Prime Minister’s flagship platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, PRAGATI, has marked a significant milestone with the successful conduct of its 50th meeting. Since its launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, PRAGATI has transformed governance by enabling real-time monitoring and resolution of key infrastructure projects and public grievances through direct Prime Ministerial review.

 

The platform exemplifies cooperative federalism, bringing together the Centre, States, and Union Ministries on a single digital interface. Over a decade, PRAGATI has helped accelerate decision-making, resolution of issues causing delay in key infrastructure projects, and instilled a strong culture of accountability. Today, in this special series, we take a look on Bogibeel Rail-cum-Road Bridge over the river Brahmaputra. 

                               

India’s longest and Asia’s second longest rail-cum-road bridge, Bogibeel bridge, is the lifeline of the north eastern part of the country and facilitates connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The 4.9-kilometre-long bridge has boosted connectivity for around 50 lakh people residing in Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The project was sanctioned in 1997-98, while the work commenced on 21st April, 2002, under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government.

 

Even after nearly 13 years since the commencement of construction, the Bogibeel Bridge project had achieved only 72 per cent physical progress, while the cost escalated by five times. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed this project in PRAGATI in May 2015.

 

Recognising its critical role in regional connectivity and national security, the Prime Minister directed that the project should be taken up in mission mode. It was only after Prime Minister Modi’s intervention that the pace of work accelerated, leading to the completion of the bridge on 25th December, 2018. Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan said that PRAGATI has helped the commissioning of critical projects like Bogibeel Rail cum Road Bridge over the river Brahmaputra.

 

The Bogibeel Rail-cum-Road Bridge plays a critical role in strengthening national security and strategic preparedness in the eastern region by facilitating the swift movement of defence forces and their equipment. The bridge has also ensured swift, uninterrupted, and all-weather connectivity across the Brahmaputra.