Dhubri:
As voters in Dhubri, Assam, prepare for the May 7 elections, the construction of India's longest river bridge is at the center of political campaigns. The bridge, which will span the Brahmaputra river, will connect Dhubri in Assam to Phulwari in Meghalaya, reducing travel time and facilitating trade and communication between the two states.
The twenty-kilometre-long bridge, expected to be completed by 2027, has become a critical issue in the triangular election battle involving the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), the Assam Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Congress Party. The foundation stone for the bridge was laid in 2021, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the ceremony.
Residents, including students, businesspeople and daily commuters, have expressed their enthusiasm for the bridge, citing the challenges posed by the current boat transportation system. Currently, boat travel across the Brahmaputra can take three to four hours, with significant disruptions during the monsoon season. The new bridge is expected to reduce the travel distance between Dhubri and Phulwari by about 200 kilometers, streamlining trade and other essential activities.
A resident said, “If the bridge is built, the advantage will be that we can reach Meghalaya in a much shorter time. It will make things easier for businesses as transporting goods on boats is quite a challenge. The bridge will it would be much more difficult.” It takes three hours by boat, so this bridge will save a lot of time.”
A student also shared his reviews and said: “Once the bridge is completed, it will help us in many ways, for example in coordination, because it takes a long time to travel by boat, about three hours. Moreover, it is a huge river , which is also dangerous, both states will benefit from this bridge.
The significance of the bridge has become a central theme in the election campaigns of the three competing parties. Each side claims credit for initiating or championing the project, with different stories about its origins. Highlighting the role of the current central government, Javed Islam of the AGP, an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), said: “The NDA government started work on this bridge. In 2021, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation for this. bridge, and construction is progressing rapidly. It will be an important gift to the people of Assam.”
Stating that the bridge was a result of his efforts, Badruddin Ajmal, the AIUDF president and three-time MP from Dhubri, claimed, “I had raised this issue in Parliament during the Congress government and then during the BJP government, to ensure to ensure that the people of Assam received this gift.”
The Congress party has also highlighted its contributions and mentioned the bridge in its campaign rallies to secure credit. Despite the political debate, the consensus among locals is that the bridge is essential and will significantly improve their quality of life.
As the competing narratives continue to unfold as election day approaches, the Dhubri Phulwari Bridge remains a beacon of hope for the people of Assam and Meghalaya, symbolizing progress and connectivity in the region.
Campaigning for the third phase of elections in four parliamentary constituencies in Assam, scheduled on May 7, ended on Sunday.
As many as 47 candidates, including one sitting MP and four sitting MLAs, are in the fray for the third phase of elections to five Lok Sabha seats – Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Barpeta and Dhubri in the state.
14 candidates are in the fray on Barpeta seat, while 13 candidates are contesting on Dhubri seat, 12 candidates in Kokrajhar and 8 in Guwahati.
Incumbent MP and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal is contesting from Dhubri seat against Congress candidate and former minister Rakibul Hussain and AGP candidate Zabed Islam.
On May 7, over 81 lakh voters in four seats will be eligible to exercise their voting rights.
The second phase of elections in five parliamentary constituencies – Silchar, Karimganj, Diphu, Nagaon and Darrang-Udalguri was held on April 26 and the voting percentage was recorded at 81.17 percent.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)