Today China asked India to be “cautious” about building infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. This has happened a day after PM Narendra Modi inaugurates the country’s longest bridge linking Assam with the state claimed by Beijing. According to Chinese foreign ministry “We hope India adopts a restrained attitude on the issue of final settlement of the border with China to jointly control disputes and safeguard peace in the border areas”. China also said, “China’s position on the east section of the Sino-Indian border areas is clear and consistent.
Last week Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the country’s longest bridge over Brahmaputra River that connects Assam’s eastern zone with Arunachal Pradesh, claimed by China as South Tibet. The foreign ministry said, “India and China should resolve territorial disputes through mutual consultation and negotiations between the two countries”. Indian and China have a dragging border dispute.
The bridge is 9.15km long and dedicating to the nation, named after Dadasaheb Phalke awardee and lyricist-singer Bhupen Hazarika who is from Sadiya, the Prime Minister Modi said it will serve as the foundation for a new revolution in India and it will help India in its efforts to become a superpower.
PrimeMinister Modi said he wanted the northeast region to become a trade hub for Southeast Asia by connecting that area for economic activity. Ministry of road transport said, “The Dhola-Sadiya bridge will fill a gap of connectivity that has existed in the region”. The bridge is built at a cost of Rs 2,096 crores. The construction of the bridge began in 2010. At that time there was a Congress government at the Centre as well as in Assam. However, the groundwork for the project started in early 2002, under the Vajpayee BJP government.
The project has been constructed as a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and a Vishakapatnam-based private company, Navayuga Engineering Company. The total length of the bridge is 9.15km which is 3.55 km longer than Mumbai’s Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
PM said, “Stress will be given to what was never done earlier. Electricity connection, road transport, rail infrastructure and optical fiber network in the northeastern zone will connect every corner of the region with the country”. The Prime Minister is ready to pay any cost for the sake of well-being and countrymen. According to him, “The said bridge will not only save money, reduce travel time but it will act as a foundation for the beginning of an economic revolution. And that’s why the whole nation has its eyes on the bridge”.
The 9.15 km-longest Bridge will cut the distance and travel time between these states Assam and Arunachal Pradesh by 165km and 4-5 hours. The analysts are saying that this longest bridge will ensure swift movement of Indian troops in the state Assam, and therefore, India’s defense along the China border will be strengthened.
