THE double engine Government of Centre and Assam has made an effort to reduce the geographical and cultural gaps of this entire region, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday while inaugurating multiple development projects in Assam via video conferencing. “In the past few years, the double engine Government of Centre and Assam made an effort to reduce the geographical and cultural gaps of this entire region,” said Prime Minister Modi at the foundation stone laying ceremony of a bridge between Dhubri, Assam and Phulbari, Meghalaya.

 

“Distance between Assam and Meghalaya is around 250 kms by road. In the future, it will only be 19-20 kms. This bridge will also prove to be significant for the international movement of traffic to other nations,” PM Modi said at the event. PM Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted the inseparable links of the Brahmaputra with Assam’s life, livelihood and culture and said it is not just a river but the manifestation of the state’s ethnic diversity and harmonious coexistence. Modi said ‘Bard of the Brahmaputra’ Hazarika’s immortal song ‘Mahabahu Brahmaputra Mahamilanar Tirtha, Koto Yug Dhori Aahise Prakashi Samanyar Tirtha’ (Expansive Brahmaputra is a pilgrimage of harmony, for years altogether this river continues to manifest the meaning of assimilation) is the true reflection that the river nurtured the harmonious coexistence of the multitude of ethnic communities of Assam.

 

“The Brahmaputra is not just a river, it is the manifestation of the great saga of Northeast’s ethnic diversity and the region’s harmonious coexistence,” he said. The Prime Minister said over the years, many things have changed, however what has not changed is the Brahmaputra’s countless blessings in the form of diverse religious, societal and cultural influences on different ethnic communities living on both banks of the river. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal were also present at the event.

 

“Assam and Meghalaya will have a direct connection with West Bengal through this bridge. The 55 km-long road construction from Serampore in West Bengal to Dhubri, Assam will begin this Oct. It will save the distance and time needed to travel to Bhutan, Bangladesh,” said Gadkari. The programme is aimed at providing seamless connectivity to the eastern parts of India and includes various development activities for the people living around River Brahmaputra and River Barak. According to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office, the launch of Mahabahu-Brahmaputra will be marked by the inauguration of the Ro-Pax vessel operations between Neamati-Majuli Island, North Guwahati-South Guwahati and Dhubri-Hatsingimari; Shilanyas of Inland Water Transport (IWT) Terminal at Jogighopa and various tourist jetties on River Brahmaputra and launch of digital solutions for Ease-of-Doing-Business.