Aiming to improve connectivity for the convenience of commuters, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation stone for construction of balance work of Saheed Nandachand RCC bridge over river Chiri on Sibpur-Lakhipur road in Lakhipur in Cachar district on January 30.
Along with completion of the balance work of the main bridge, the project also includes approach road and protection work under RIDF XXVII of NABARD.
The bridge of 2x45M span was originally sanctioned under RIDF-VIII of NABARD and the work was allotted in 2005. The original bridge was designed with three well foundations with PSC box girder superstructure. The contractor executed the work upto substructure level. “However, unfortunate demise of the executing contractor in the year 2010 halted the construction work. The remaining work of superstructure, protection works and approaches works were then abandoned till August 2021,” stated a press release from the Chief Minister’s Office.
“Lakhipur MLA Kaushik Rai has stated his willingness to complete the balance work of the bridge and as per his proposal, the Lakhipur Civil Sub-Division Territorial Road Division submitted balance work estimate of the bridge under RIDF-XVIII of NABARD for the year 2020-21 amounting to Rs 623.484 lakh and finally it is sanctioned by the Govt. of Assam,” the statement added.
Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the work will invariably be completed in stipulated time for the benefits of all sections of people. Thanking MLA Kaushik Rai for showing his willingness to complete the project, Sarma said that the bridge will reduce the distance and travelling time between Silchar and Lakhipur and thus help the people of Barak Valley. He also said contrary to the past, both central and state governments are working in synergy to improve the road connectivity in Barak Valley region.
He said that the balance construction work will be executed on a priority basis by the government to dedicate it for the people as per their expectations.
He also announced Rs 25 crore for the construction of an integrated SDO (C) office in Lakhipur, the construction of which will be started in May-June this year. The chief minister also announced Rs 12 crore for the construction of a stadium in Lakhipur. A GNM nursing institute will be set up in Lakhipur and Nehru College which is the only college in Lakhipur will have science stream from the next academic year. The government hospital in Lakhipur will be upgraded to 100-bedded civil hospital, Sarma added.
Environment and forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya, MP Rajdeep Roy, MLAs Kaushik Rai, Taranga Gogoi, Deepayan Chakraborty, Mihir Kanti Shome and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
