PM likely to lay foundation of Jorhat-Majuli bridge on Feb 18

GUWAHATI: In a season of doling out benefits and inaugurations/foundation laying with assembly elections round the corner in Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to lay the foundation of the long-awaited two-lane bridge connecting Jorhat and Majuli over the Brahmaputra through video conferencing from Delhi on February 18.

The Union ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) has sanctioned construction of the bridge over the Brahmaputra to connect the world's largest inhabited river island Majuli in Assam at accost of Rs 925 crore. The construction work has been awarded to M/s UP State Bridge Corporation Ltd.

The 8 km long bridge is estimated to be completed within four years.

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The bridge will connect Jorhat with Kamlabari Ghat of Majuli. The river island, represented by chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, is presently connected only through ferry service.

The island recently got the first ever heliport in the state inaugurated by Sonowal.

Modi has already visited the state twice over the past month to distribute land documents among indigenous landless people and to launch the Asom Mala project and lay foundation of medical colleges at Biswanath and Charaideo.

Union home minister Amit Shah also visited the poll-bound state thrice over the past month. The state is likely to go to polls in April.