Watch: PM Modi takes a walk, rides on Bogibeel bridge in Assam

PM Modi today inaugurated the rail-road bridge over the Brahmaputra river at Bogibeel near Dibrugarh in Assam today.

The 4.94 km bridge has double line broad gauge rail tracks and upper deck road spread in three lanes. The bridge connects Assam's Dibrugarh to Nharlgun in Itanagar in just four hours.

The bridge provides an alternate route to Dibrugarh for the residents through the Brahmaputra. The Bogibeel bridge was part of the Assam accord and sanctioned in 1997-98 and seeks to connect northeastern states with the rest of the country.

The strategically important bridge is also expected to facilitate troop movement during an emergency situation. It connects parts of Arunachal Pradesh ending at Dhemaji districts in Assam.

The prime minister took a short walk over the bridge accompanied by Assam governor Jagdish Mukhi and chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. PM Modi flew directly to the bridge in a chopper and inaugurated the bridge which is touted as India's longest rail-cum-road bridge.

The prime minister flagged off the train which is set to cut train travel between Dibrugarh and  Itanagar by 705 kms.

While inaugurating the bridge, the prime minister congratulated the north-east declaring that it was a historic day for the residents. 

"The railroad will improve trade and is a lifeline for commuters," the prime minister said during his speech. "About sixteen years ago, Atalji came here. He had a vision for the development of the Bogibeel bridge. This bridge is also a tribute to his vision," PM Modi said. 

"When Vajpayeeji's government lost power in 2004, several key infrastructure projects of his era were not completed," the PM added.