Badri Bridge, a mess created by Congress that BJP failed to solve; "Will have it ready this winter," Aminul Haque Laskar, deputy speaker

The above image is of Badri Bridge that connects Berenga with Kashipur. The significance of this bridge is such that it was sanctioned before the new Sadarghat Bridge. The new Sadarghat bridge has been renovated twice but the Badri Bridge remains nonoperational.

After inspecting the work in progress on February 1, 2020, former deputy commissioner Barnali Sharma announced that the bridge will be ready and operational from March 21, 2020. Today is September 21. Six months later, and on one side there is a jungle while a beautiful paddy field at the other side towards Kashipur. The bridge is standing tall and prepared but motorists ferry their two-wheelers paying Rs 30 one way.

 

 

This bridge was sanctioned by Tarun Gogoi’s government. Rs 49 crore has been paid to the contractor who constructed the bridge under the PWD’s supervision. The approach was not taken into consideration while estimating. Due to the unavailability of the approaches on either side, a depreciating asset built on taxpayers’ money is lying utilised.

“This winter, we will have the approaches ready and the bridge will become functional,” assures, deputy speaker and Sonai MLA, Aminul Haque Laskar. The Bridge can ease vehicular traffic on the main road. Loaded trucks can enter Fatak Bazar via Kashipur and need not travel through Sadarghat.

The bridge got ready in 2017 much like the Madhuraghat bridge which was ready in 2016 but remains operational. “There is no problem with the approach towards Berenga, the issue is with land which needs to be acquired on the Kashipur side,” informs an official at PWD.

The officer adds, “After the first survey we submitted an estimation. Those are agriculture land and estimates were submitted accordingly. But during the inspection, the officers saw RCC buildings on those land which changed the value proposition entirely causing further delay.”

If sources are to be believed then the estimate for the approach of Badri Bridge was only approved by the PWD Engineers a couple of days back. Then on what basis did the former deputy commissioner announce that the bridge will be ready within a March 21? “The department is not aware of any such announcement,” says the Engineer of PWD.

Giving an update on the current proceeding, District Development Commissioner, J R Lalsim shares, “Department is taking step to submit acquisition proposal under 1964 act for all incomplete approach of new bridges which include, Madhura Bridge, Badri Bridge and Ithkhola Ghat bridge.”

The Deputy speaker, who is also the MLA from Sonai Constituency adds, “The locals have agreed to give their land to the government. The bridge would have been ready earlier this year, but due to COVID19 situation the work got delayed.”

A section in the BJP blames the previous Congress government of leaving loose ends with the approaches. “Which project did BJP initiate and complete?” counters former MP Sushmita Dev who was the MLA of Silchar when the Badri Bridge was sanctioned. “All these development projects were sanctioned by the Congress government. Apart from the Srikona Bypass which was done by Sarbananda Sonowal’s government they have done nothing in the past five years,” she adds.

The foundation stone of this bridge got hidden behind the jungle. It reads Rs 49 crore was sanctioned for the construction of this bridge. Another Rs 11 crore has been earmarked for the approach. As per sources in PWD, a 1510 metre long approach will be built at Kashipur side worth Rs 2.6 crore. The approach will connect with Kashipur point. On the Berenga side, there will be a two-lane 170 metre approach connecting Modhurband road. Retaining walls, service roads, Culverts will also have to be built. Around Rs 4 crore has been set aside to acquire land in Kashipur side.

At 38 degree celsius, according to Google, it feels like 50 in Silchar. The winter is still some time away but is that enough for the PWD to get the bridge ready, only time will tell. “The engineers, who came to survey the land sailed on my boat a month back. He said we still have two years and we must earn as much as we can… I don’t think the bridge will be ready by winter,” said the sailor while sailing in the middle of the river. He reached the shore safely, now let’s see if the bridge gets operational by the time, “Winter is here”.