Exclusive | Memorandums of Bygone Century That United Two Banks Of Brahmaputra at Bogibeel

Guwahati, December 21, 2018:

Asia’s Second longest Rail Cum Road Bridge is now in India. The Prime Minister of India shall dedicate this bridge to nation at Bogibeel, near Dibrugarh in Upper Assam on 25^th December 2018. The bridge structure designed at Denmark is a world class superstructure completed by Indo- German consortium, that is- German based DSB Bruckenbau GmBh & VnR Infrastructure, with it its Indian counterpart, Hindustan Construction Company, Gammon India, Bhartia Infra Projects and Essar Steel. The Composite Welded Steel Truss (Rivet welding) Technology is used with reinforced concrete to raise the superstructure of this State of Art Bridge.

[caption id="attachment_19740" align="alignnone" width="660"] Technical Map of Project Site[/caption]

The pioneers of the projects: - It is true that it was a long-felt demand from people of eastern Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh to set the Bogibeel Bridge over Brahmaputra, as it will bring the people closer connecting three remote eastern state of India. People of Arunachal Pradesh was demanding Bogibeel Bridge, especially for the hospital patients, as they are to ship to Assam Medical College at Dibrugarh crossing 12 km wide mighty Brahmaputra for better treatment. Military strategists were also in opinion that this bridge is much sensitive for defence communication as is close proximity to the controversial Indo-China border.  Looking all this perspective few generous citizens of Dibrugarh Nagarik Sangha, took the maiden initiative to approach the Prime Minister of India in order to bring the dream of Eastern Assam’s people into reality, and hence Dibrugarh Nagarik Sangha convened a meeting on 25^th May of 1977 at Amulapatty Natya Mandir of Dibrugarh. Then speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly Ramesh Chandra Baruah presided the meeting and first major three resolutions taken in the meeting were as below:-

(i)                Construction of bridge across the river Brahmaputra at Dibrugarh

(ii)              Extension of Simaluguri-Moran Railway track from Moran to Dibrugarh

(iii)           Strengthening of riverside embankment on the bank of Brahmaputra in order to protect the Dibrugarh town.

Thereafter, as per resolutions of the meeting, “Dibrugarh Nagarik Sangha”, had submitted four different consecutive memorandums to the Government of India, specially addressing to the Prime Minister’s Office, in the span of three years from1977 to 1980. However, in later phase “Dibrugarh Nagarik Sangha” in collaboration with “Eastern Assam Chamber of Commerce” expedite the movement in order to mount pressure on Indian Government.

The First Memorandum: - The first complete memorandum to then Prime Minister of India was submitted on 21^st June 1977.  The signatories were Late Ramesh Chandra Baruah, Speaker Assam Legislative Assembly, Late Lakshmi Prasad Dutta, Rector of Dibrugarh University, Late Jagat Chandra Neog , Veteran journalist, noted social worker (popularly known as “Borboruar DC”)and senior member of Dibrugarh Bar Association Late Binanda Chandra Baruah. However, a delegation of Dibrugah Nagarik Sangha comprising of Sadar Dilip Singh, Binanda Chandra Baruah and Jagat Neog went to Delhi and submitted memorandum to then Prime Minister of India, Morarji Desai for construction of the bridge. They also met Physicist turned Railway Minister Madhu Dandavate, Union Agriculture Minister Surjit Singh Barnala and apprised them with separate memorandum for construction of the bridge. This delegation in the in the same memorandum made prayer “to make provisions for extending theSimaluguri -Sibsagar- Moran Railway line to the town of Dibrugarh for the larger interest of all concerned”. Anyway, Assam Assembly Speaker Ramesh Baruah could not join in the delegation to meet the Prime Minister, however with the help of then Member of Parliament, Renuka Devi Borkotoky he made the arrangement for the delegation to get an appointment for visiting Prime Minister. On the other hand, Purna Narayan Singha, Member of Parliament from Tezpur had made all necessary arrangement to meet Surjit Singh Barnala and Madhu Dandavate.

[caption id="attachment_19724" align="alignnone" width="500"] First Memorandum submitted on June 21, 1977[/caption]

The Second Memorandum: - Second memorandum for the construction of bridge across the River Brahmaputa at Bogibeel was submitted by Dibrugah Nagarik Sangha on 6^th October 1977. This memorandum was submitted to the Chairman of North East Council (NEC) at Shillong. At the same time a separate memorandum was also submitted to the Chairman of North East Council demanding construction of railway track over the bridge. Member of Dibrugarh Nagarik Sangha Mr.Ganesh Sharma, Siba Prasad Dutta and senior advocate Binanda Chandra Baruah were the signatory of second memorandum.

[caption id="attachment_19725" align="alignnone" width="660"] Reply from North East Council Secretariat[/caption]

The Third Memorandum: - The Third Memorandum for the construction of Bogibeel Bridge was submitted by Dibrugarh Nagarik Sangha on 6^th November 1977. In connection of the PMO, this was the second memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister of India. The signatories went to meet then Prime Minister of India, Morarji Desai were Shri Siba Prasad Dutta, Member, Dibrugarh Rotary Club, Sarder Dilip Singh, Member Dibrugarh Nagarik Sangha, Sri Rabindra Kumar Varma, Secretary Rotary Club, Dibrugarh, Shri S. M.  Agarwal, Vice President, Eastern Assam Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Dibrugarh, Sri Binanda Chandra Baruah, Secretary, Dibrugarh Nagarik Sangha, Sri Basanta Garodia, President, Eastern Assam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dibrugarh., Sri Ganesh Chandra Sharma, Member, Dibrugarh Nagarik Sangha. Sri Damodar Nawka, Secretary, Dibrugarh Passengers Association.

[caption id="attachment_19726" align="alignnone" width="660"] Third Memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Moraji Desai[/caption]

The Fourth Memorandum: - This is the first ever memorandum submitted by Assam Government to Union Government for the construction of Bogibeel Bridge.  A delegation Janata Party ruled Government had submitted this memorandum to Prime Minister of India Morarji Desai at his visit to Guwahati on 9^th September 1978.

[caption id="attachment_19729" align="alignnone" width="660"] Project Details of construction site[/caption]

The Fifth Memorandum: - The Fifth Memorandum was submitted by a strong delegation of “Moran-Dibrugarh Rail Line Extension Committee” to then Defence Minister of India Jagjivan Ram at his visit in “Khowang” a small township of Dibrugarh District, on the bank of Burhidihing River, on the 3^rd December 1978.  The signatories were Sri Jagat Chandra Neog, General Secretary, Moarn-Dibrugarh Rail Line Extension Committee, Shri Amiya Kumar Gohain, Assistant Joint Secretary, Moran Dibrugarh Rail Line Extension Committee, Sri Om Prakash Kejriwal, Vice President, Moran Dibrugarh Rail Line Extension Committee, Sri Nurul Huda, General Secretary, Dibrugarh District Janata Party.  The memorandum had urged the Union Government to connect both bank of Brahmaputra by constructing a bridge and also to extend Simoluguri- Sivsagarh-Moran Railway Line to Dibrugarh Town.

[caption id="attachment_19731" align="alignnone" width="660"] Fifth Memorandum submitted to Defence Minister of India Jagjivan Ram at his visit in “Khowang”, Dibrugarh district[/caption]

The Sixth Memorandum: - The Sixth Memorandum was different from the rest of previous memorandums. Dibrugarh Nagarik Sangha included few new items in the Charter of demands of in Sixth Memorandum.

They were as follows: -

(i)                Construction of bridge over river Brahmaputra

(ii)             Fresh demand for expansion of broad-gauge railway track to Upper Assam

(iii)          Construction of alternative Railway Track parallel to national Highway 37, connecting Upper Assam and Lower Assam, touching all major district headquarters, significantly -Nagoan, Jorhat, Sibsagar, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia by laying a 115-mile railway track bifurcating from Jakhalabandha Railway Station of Nagaon District.

However, in changing political scenario Mrs. Indira Gandhi had come to the power, as Prime Minister of India, hence the sixth Memorandum was submitted to Mrs. Indira Gandhi. A members of the delegation of Dibrugarh Nagarik Sangha signed this memorandum to the Prime Minister Mrs. Gandhi, were Sri K. N Choudhury (Advocate) Executive Member, Sri Basant Garodia Executive Member, Sri Misri Lal Jain Executive Member, Sri S. M. Agarwalla Executive Member, Mrs. Nurjahan Begum Executive Member, Sri Rafiur Rahman Executive Member, Sri Golap Sarma Executive Member, Sri Tilak Duara Executive Member, Dr. Jitendra Nath Gogoi, Member [Assam Medical College], Sri Bhudev Phukan Member [Chamber of Commerce, Dibrugarh], Sri B. C Deka President, Sardar Dilip Singh Vice President, Sri Bhupen Das Vice President, Sri Ganesh Chandra Sarma [M/s United Tyres], Joint Secretary, Sri Sibli Hassan Joint Secretary, Sri R. G. Modi, Treasurer, Sri Bipin Sarma Executive Member [M/s Lakhimi Press], Sri Siba Prasad Dutta Executive Member, Dr. Umesh Chandra Sarma Executive Member.

[caption id="attachment_19736" align="alignnone" width="660"] Memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi additionally demanding for extention of broad-gauge line to Upper Assam[/caption]

The Seventh Memorandum: -     The Seventh Memorandum is the last memorandum in 20^th Century submitted few years ahead of laying foundation stone by then prime Minister of India Haradanahalli Doddegowda Deve Gowda. Since the Government had taken no interest for construction of bridge over Brahmaputa at Dibrugarh even after submission of six consecutive memorandums in that last 16 years from 1977 to 1993, therefore, a statuary common plate form was raised by various social organizations, eminent citizens of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sibsagar, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts. A huge convention was organized at Dalimi Cinema Hall at Chowkindingee, Dibrugarh on 1^st May 1993, in order to mount pressure on the government. Delegates of several organizations from neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh had also joined in the conclave demanding a bridge over Brahmaputra at Dibrugarh. However, resolution was adapted in the conclave presided by renowned tea planter of Upper Assam Ajit Chaliha and hence, “Purbanchal Nagarik Samity” was formed, at the vey initiative of renowned advocate Mr. Jogen Bora in order to expedite the movement for the construction of bridge over Brahmaputra, consequently, a fresh memorandum was drafted. On 10^th April 1994, on behalf of “Purbanchal Nagarik Samity”, three signatories namely- Ajit Chaliha President, Bipin Chandra Sarmah Working President, Jogen Bora General Secretary personally presented the Seventh Memorandum to Union Railway Minister C. K. Jaffer Sharief at New Delhi.

[caption id="attachment_19738" align="alignnone" width="660"] Seventh Memorandum submitted by Purbanchal Nagarik Samity to Union Railway Minister C. K. Jaffer Sharief at New Delhi.[/caption]

Finally, at the end God has smiled. At the initiative of Chief Minister Prafulla Mahanta lead Asom Gana Parishad Government, then Prime Minister of India Haradanahalli Doddegowda Deve Gowda, had first laid the foundation stone of the bridge at Kulajan at the north bank of bridge in Dhemaji district on 22^nd January 1997. It shall be quiet injustice if names of few people missed to write in this last episode of the three decades long struggle for a bridge over Brahmaputra. They were Arunachal Chief Minister Mr. Gegong Apang, General Manager of North Eastern Frontier Railway S. P Mehta, Chairman of Railway Board S. P. Kaul, Union Railway Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Governor of Assam Loknath Mishra and MPs Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma Birendra Kumar Baishya and Dr. Nagen Saikia. However, no significant initiative was seen at project construction site after laying the foundation stone. Subsequently, during the regime of Tarun Gogoi, lead Congress Government, on the day of 21^st April 2002, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee from Delhi flew down to Chowkidingee Field at Dibrugarh and inaugurated the beginning of construction work of the bridge. Then Railway Minister Nitish Kumar, Governor of Assam S. K. Sinha escorted Vajpayee at the time of pressing the first button for the construction works, which lead to unloading of blasting stones from trucks at project site. Even though then prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh declared it as National Project but yet because slackness of both state and union government, the construction work of the bridge started at snail pace consuming more time and money, however, as soon as Narendra Modi came to the power, as Prime Minister, he took special care to complete all national projects, across the county, that was left half done during Congress regime. So is the Bogibeel Bridge today.  In the fag-end of this writing along with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi one must pronounce the name of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Railway Minister Rajen Gohain, MLA Prasanta Phukan, Member of Parliament Rameshwer Teli and also dedicated, Indian and foreign railway engineers, numerous railway officials, skilled workers, artisans and few unforgettable sacrifice of workers who died accidently, at bridge construction site falling on strong river current of turbulent Brahmaputra, for giving credit of the total completion of bridge without forgetting the pioneer think tanks.

Sri Pranab Kumar Gogoi

Senior Journalist

Guwahati

Phone- 94351-08671

[Courtesy- Special thanks to the two signatories of different memorandums- namely noted social activist, veteran journalist Late Jagat Chandra Neog and Late Dr. Jitendra Nath Gogoi, who taught Physiology in Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, for getting these rare collections of  historical documents]