The Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, also known as the Bhupen Hazarika Setu, is a road bridge that spans the Brahmaputra River in the northeastern Indian state of Assam.

The bridge connects the towns of Dhola and Sadiya in the Tinsukia district of Assam, and it is the longest bridge in India spanning 9.15 kilometers. The bridge was inaugurated on May 26, 2017, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and it has since become a significant landmark and infrastructure project for the region.

With the rapid movement of India's defense assets in mind following incursions by the Chinese Army, the Dhola–Sadiya Bridge has been designed to handle the weight of 60-tonne (130,000-pound) tanks such as the Indian Army's Arjun and T-72 main battle tanks. Since the Sino-Indian War, China has disputed India's claim to Arunachal Pradesh, politically and militarily, along the Line of Actual Control, making the bridge an important tactical asset in the ongoing dispute.

The construction of the Dhola-Sadiya Bridge was a massive undertaking that required the collaboration of several government agencies, engineering firms, and construction companies. The project was initiated in 2011 by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways as part of a broader plan to improve transportation infrastructure in the northeastern region of India. The bridge was designed and constructed by the Indian construction firm, Navayuga Engineering Company Limited.

The bridge's construction was challenging due to the Brahmaputra River's volatile nature, which is prone to severe flooding during the monsoon season. The construction team had to overcome several technical and logistical challenges, including constructing the bridge's foundation on a riverbed that was up to 200 meters deep. The construction team also had to contend with the river's strong currents, which made it challenging to transport construction materials and equipment to the site.

Koo App #India's #LongestBridge; The #BhupenHazarikaSetu, also known as the #DholaSadiyaBridge, measures a lengthy 9.15 kms. It connects #Assam with the #ArunachalPradesh. This bridge also functions as an important tactical asset as it has been designed to handle the weight of 60-tonne (130,000-pound) tanks such as the #IndianArmy's Arjun and T-72 main battle #tanks making the movement of national #defense assets to the areas along the #LineofActualControl easier. VC | Vishal Hazarika Films View attached media content - Satyaagrah (@SatyaagrahIndia) 2 May 2023

Construction

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways started a feasibility study of the project in August 2003 after demands from local constituents. In January 2009, the bridge was approved for construction with funding from the Government of India as part of the Arunachal Pradesh Package of Roads and Highways.

Construction began in November 2011 as a public-private partnership with Navayuga Engineering Company, with an expected completion in 2015. However, due to construction delays and cost increases, the bridge's completion date was pushed into 2017.

The project cost around ₹1,000 crore (equivalent to ₹12 billion or US$156 million in 2020) and construction took over five years to complete. It is 3.55 kilometers (2.21 mi) longer than the Bandra Worli Sea Link in Mumbai, making it the longest bridge in India.

The bridge was inaugurated on 26 May 2017 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nitin Gadkari (Minister of Road Transport and Highways). The bridge is named after Bhupen Hazarika an artist and filmmaker from Assam.

The Dhola-Sadiya Bridge is a significant achievement in Indian infrastructure development, as it has several benefits for the region's economy and connectivity. The bridge has reduced travel time between Dhola and Sadiya from six hours to just one hour, making it easier for people to access essential services such as healthcare and education. The bridge has also improved connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, which was previously only accessible through a narrow mountain road. The bridge has boosted trade and commerce in the region, providing a critical link between the Brahmaputra Valley and the northeastern states of India.

The Dhola-Sadiya Bridge is also significant from a strategic and national security perspective. The bridge is located close to the border with China, and it has improved the Indian military's ability to deploy troops and equipment in the region quickly. The bridge is capable of supporting the movement of heavy military vehicles, and it has reduced the time required to transport military personnel and supplies to the region.

In conclusion, the Dhola-Sadiya Bridge is a remarkable engineering feat that has transformed transportation and connectivity in the northeastern region of India. The bridge's construction was a massive undertaking that required significant resources and expertise, and it has since become a symbol of India's infrastructure development and technological capabilities. The bridge's strategic and economic benefits have made it a critical infrastructure project for the region, and it will continue to play an essential role in the region's development and progress in the years to come.