'Why is Jorhat-Majuli Bridge still stalled?': Gaurav Gogoi demands answers in parliament

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi confronted the government in Lok Sabha on March 12 regarding the delayed Jorhat-Majuli Bridge project, demanding answers from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari about the stalled construction.

 

The 8-km bridge, sanctioned in 2021 with an initial budget of Rs 925 crore, has seen only 32% completion due to "mismanagement and contractor withdrawal" issues. Work has been completely halted since September 2024.

 

"The government took responsibility for this bridge, but work has been halted since September 2024. Just 30% has been completed," said Gogoi during his address to Parliament. "I visited the site and was informed that the project would be re-tendered in January, and the work will be given to a new contractor. However, no action has been taken so far."

 

Gogoi highlighted that these delays have caused significant cost escalation, with the project budget now rising to approximately Rs 1,225 crore.

 

The development comes just days after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Expenditure Finance Committee of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had approved a revised cost estimate of approximately Rs 700 crore for the bridge.

 

CM Sarma indicated via social media that tender processes would begin soon, potentially allowing construction to resume.

 

The Majuli-Jorhat bridge represents a critical infrastructure project for the region, designed to connect Majuli—the world's largest river island—with mainland Assam. Residents currently rely on ferry services that become unreliable during flooding seasons, creating significant hardship for islanders.