Sonowal takes stock of preparation for Dhola-Sadia bridge inauguration, visits proposed ICAR site at Gogamukh

The high level review meeting held at Sadia was attended by state PWD Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, MoS Power and Revenue Pallab Lochan Das, several MLAs, all Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and DTOs of upper Assam districts, officials of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and Navayuga Engineering Co Ltd (Visakhapatnam).

Expressing the view that the Dhola-Sadia Bridge would fulfill a long felt need by improving communication link between the people of Sadia and Arunachal Pradesh with rest of the state, the Assam CM directed the construction company, Navayuga Engineering Co Ltd to complete construction works in all respect within May 22, 2017 to ensure smooth inauguration of the same.

“The Navayuga Engineering is performing a great service to the nation as the Dhola-Sadia bridge would not only ease hardship of the people of Sadia but would also fulfil a vital requirement in terms of country’s defence perspective considering the fact that Arunachal Pradesh shares boundary with China,” Sonowal professed.

The Assam CM also directed the Tinsukia district administration to carry out all preparatory works for the inaugural ceremony on a war footing in active consultation with local MLA Bolin Chetia and informed that PWD Minister Parimal Suklabaidya and MoS Power & Revenue Pallab Lochan Das would oversee the preparations.

Sonowal also put special focus on implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission in letter & spirit at the venue and directed the district administration and district PHED officials to construct adequate number of toilets for the expected visitors and ensure availability of safe drinking water.

Directing the officials of district administration to take comprehensive measures to make the event best in all respect, the Chief Minister asked them to maintain cleanliness at the venue and involve local people for the purpose so that the basic aim of SBM could be achieved.

Stating that communication and transportation are very important sectors for ushering development and inauguration of the bridge would boost development activities in Sadia, the Assam CM also sought co-operation of all nearby districts to successfully hold the event.

Sonowal asked the deputy commissioners of all the upper Assam districts to extend full support to the host district.

Sonowal further expressed dissatisfaction on poor condition of NH 37 particularly the portions passing through Sivasagar, Jorhat and Numaligarh and directed the officials of National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation to immediately repair the NH to ensure hassle free road communication.

Taking part in the review meeting, Deputy Commissioner, Tinsukia Ranjan Chakraborty informed that all preparations for the event would complete on May 22.

The Deputy Commissioner also informed that SHGs have been allowed to put up food stalls at the venue and construction work for helipad with rest house etc. is going on smoothly.

MP Pradan Baruah, MLAs Bimal Bora, Tapan Gogoi, Kushal Dowari, Teros Gowala, Binod Hazarika, Jogen Mohan, Chakradhar Gogoi and Sanjay Kishan were also present in review meeting.

Chief Minister Sonowal also visited the proposed construction site of an extended campus of Indian Council of Agricultural Research at Gogamukh in Dhemaji district today where the Prime Minister would lay the foundation stone of the project on May 26, 2017.

The review meeting attended by State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Irrigation Minister Ranjit Dutta, P&RD Minister Naba Doley, MLAs of Dhemaji, Jonai, Lakhimpur, Bihpuria, Biswanath Chariali, Sotea, Gohpur and Tezpur, DIG, Northern Assam Range, DCs, SPs and DTOs of all districts of North Bank of the Brahmaputra was held at Missing Autonomous Council office at Gogamukh.

Addressing the public representatives and govt. officials, the Chief Minister underlined the importance attached to the event and said that setting up of ICAR campus in Gogamukh would unleash a new era of agricultural growth in the entire state.

The Assam CM further sought spontaneous participation from all sections of the society considering the fact that the event is not a mere government programme but an event of immense public importance.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)