An inter-state 30 metre span RCC Bridge, constructed over Balu River, united north block Burma camp, connecting to Sunday bazaar in Lahorijan Assam, was formally inaugurated by the PWD minister, Tongpang Ozukum here on Thursday.
The full project involved construction of the road from NH-29 at Burma camp to the Balu River with a stretch of 2.5 kms including a 30 metre span RCC-bridge. The project was fully funded by the government of India through the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways under the scheme of Inter State Connectivity (ISC) at a cost of Rs. 1381.14/- lakhs. The project was entrusted to the supervision of PWD (R&B) Nagaland.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Ozukum lauded the contractor, department and joint council for the timely completion of the work without any price escalations. He pointed out that the project was not only a sample of infrastructure and development but it was a sample of friendship between the two states i.e. Nagaland and Assam. “This Bridge should be called Friendship Bridge over Balu River”, he said after the inauguration of the bridge.
Ozukum opined that the construction of the bridge would benefit people from both the states and develop social relations. Setting aside party lines, the minister expressed gratitude to his predecessors for their part in the implementation of the project.
He also sought the support of the people to do something for the society and urged them to take maximum advantage of the connectivity.
Joint council convenor of eight colonies from Nagaland and Assam, Hokuto Zhimomi in his short speech expressed gratitude to the department and God for addressing the grievances of the locality who, he said had been facing untold hardships for 29 years due to the absence of an interstate connectivity bridge. He also appealed to the minister and department to look into the other deteriorating bridges in and around Dimapur.
The program was chaired by superintending engineer PWD (R&B) circle-I, Er. Kahuli Sema, dedicatory prayer was pronounced by director, Gospel Light Mission, Dr. Mughayi Achumi, technical report of the project was presented by chief engineer PWD (R&B) Nagaland, Er. Limadongdang Jamir, while vote of thanks was proposed by executive engineer PWD (R&B) Dimapur division, Er. Talitemsu Jamir.