Bridge would've been ready in 2008-09 had Atal-ji got another term: Modi

Speaking at the inauguration programme, Modi said: "There is no doubt about the fact that if Atalji's government had got another term, this bridge would have been inaugurated by 2008-09.

Saying that the project was stuck during the UPA's rule, the PM said: "After coming to power in 2014, we removed all impediments in the way of the bridge's completion."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday dedicated the Bogibeel bridge in Assam, to the nation.

The bridge, which spans the River Brahmaputra between Dibrugarh and Dhemaji districts of Assam, is of immense economic and strategic significance for the nation. At a massive public meeting in Kareng Chapori, on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra, the Prime Minister also flagged off the first passenger train passing through the bridge.

Speaking on the occasion, he said it was the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and is also celebrated as "Sushaasan Divas" or "Good Governance Day". He said this bridge was a marvel of engineering and technology, and is of immense strategic significance.

He recalled that in May 2017, he had also dedicated the country's longest road bridge, the Bhupen Hazarika Bridge at Sadia in Assam, to the nation.

The Prime Minister noted that while only three bridges were built over the Brahmaputra river in 60-70 years, three more have been completed in the last four and a half years alone. Another five, he said, were in progress.