An impending death call- Neamatighat and Kamalabari link

• Image Credit: Internet

• Dec 4, 2021 | Sourav Boruah

Majuli the pride of Assam that holds the root of Assamese culture firmly, the largest river island in the entire world is known for its picturesque, lush green, and pollution-free environment in the mighty River- Brahmaputra. It is the world's largest river island and it attracts tourists from all over the world. Mostly inhabited by tribals, the culture of Majuli is unique. It is also called the cultural capital of Assam.

Even after all the glory and majesty of Majuli, the cultural capital of Assam had to go through various challenges from time to time, from flash floods to riverbank erosion. Lacs of inhabitants of the river island had to lose their property, livestock, or sometimes in the worst-case scenario – LIFE.

The demand for a connecting river bridge from Jorhat to Majuli island over the mighty Brahmaputra is latish.

A long cherished dream of the Majuli islanders in Assam, partially came true on Monday when Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the construction of the Majuli-Jorhat bridge over the Brahmaputra.

The 8.25 km long bridge, which will connect the south bank of the mighty river with the island, will be constructed with central funds of Rs 925.47 crore.

The 8.25 km bridge project linking Neamatighat and Kamalabari Ghat (Majuli) is estimated to cost ₹ 925.47-crore, was awarded to the U.P. State Bridge Corporation Limited on February 8.

Unfortunately on the same day i.e on 29^th of November when CM  Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the construction work of the much-awaited Majuli Jorhat link, a part of the bridge constructed by UP State Bridge Construction Corporation Limited collapsed on November 29 at Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Fortunately, no one died in the accident. It may be mentioned that the bridge constructed by UP State Bridge Construction Corporation Limited in Varanasi collapsed in 2018 where 18 persons died.

The Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra governments have already filed two different cases against the company and are also suing the company in court.

 So the question arises, why was such a controversial and failed company awarded a major task of constructing a river bridge connecting Neamatighat and Kamalabari Ghat?