The 19.3 km Dhubri–Phulbari bridge, once completed, will become India’s longest river bridge, linking Dhubri in western Assam with Phulbari in Meghalaya. The project is expected to be a game-changer for regional trade and mobility, providing a direct, all-weather road link across the Brahmaputra and sharply reducing travel time between the two states.
At present, the movement of people and goods depends largely on ferry services, which are time-consuming and frequently disrupted during the monsoon. Himanta Biswa Sarma has said the bridge will play a critical role in boosting trade between Assam, Meghalaya and neighbouring states, while also strengthening connectivity with Bangladesh.
By shortening routes to ports and markets, the bridge is expected to lower transportation costs for agricultural produce, coal, limestone and other commodities, providing a strong impetus to local economies in the region.
Another landmark project reshaping Assam’s infrastructure is the Bogibeel bridge, which connects Dibrugarh and Dhemaji districts in Upper Assam. Inaugurated in 2018, the 4.94 km structure is India’s longest road-cum-rail bridge and serves as a strategic and economic lifeline. It has significantly improved access to Arunachal Pradesh and remote parts of Assam, enabling faster movement of goods, security forces and essential supplies.
Before the Bogibeel bridge became operational, travel between the north and south banks of the Brahmaputra in Upper Assam involved long detours or reliance on ferries. The bridge has cut travel time by several hours and has emerged as a vital corridor for key industries such as tea, oil and natural gas, which form the backbone of Assam’s economy.
Infrastructure experts say these mega bridges are not just engineering achievements but powerful catalysts for regional development. Improved connectivity has enhanced access to healthcare, education and markets for communities in riverine and border areas, while also strengthening disaster response by enabling quicker deployment of relief and rescue teams during floods.
The Assam government has said such projects align with the Centre’s Act East Policy, which aims to integrate the Northeast with Southeast Asia through improved road, rail and river connectivity. As work progresses on the Dhubri–Phulbari bridge and other connectivity initiatives, Assam is steadily moving from geographical isolation towards deeper economic integration, with the Brahmaputra increasingly becoming a bridge to opportunity rather than a barrier.
