New Delhi: Member of Parliament Conrad K Sangma, demanded that the Japan funded proposed Dhubri – Phulbari bridge should have provisions for rail communication which he said will benefit not only Meghalaya and Assam but the entire north east region as well.
The Tura MP met Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways here on Wednesday.
The two-way bridge is now proposed to have connectivity for motor vehicles only. Sangma stated that since the bridge was coming up for vehicles, funded under JICA, a provision for future expansion for railways would ensure better utility of the investment and infrastructure being put up.
National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have already prepared the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
The proposed bridge will have approaches over the river Brahmaputra between Dhubri on the north bank and Phulbari on the south bank. The bridge will be 20-km long and will cost approximately Rs 4,000 crore.
Conard expressed hope that under Goyal’s leadership railway in India would achieve greater heights in safety and overall connectivity especially in areas like the North East which are not well connected yet.
He also briefed the Minister about the Mendipathar Railway station and the service running there and how it had economically impacted the lives of the local people in and around the region.
He further urged the minister to take up more projects in the region which would improve the rail connectivity and make a difference in people’s lives.