Simen Bridge on NH 52 Opened to Traffic

The Minister of State for Defence Dr MM Pallam Raju inaugurated a 480 m length bridge built across river Simen on Akajan-Jonai-Pasighat road (NH 52) in Arunachal Pradesh yesterday. Dedicating the bridge to the nation the minister said that opening of this bridge National Highway Double Lane specifications will usher in a new era of development to the civil population, Army and Paramilitary Forces and a host of other agencies working for infrastructure development of the region.

The minister also remarked that opening of this bridge will facilitate early completion of Broad Gauge Rail Conversion Project between Rangiya and Murkongselek. The existing rail cum road bridge was a major bottleneck for smooth flow of the road traffic. The minister congratulated the construction team of BRO for their dedicated efforts in completion of this challenging bridge, where the works continued in monsoons and at night by using generator light. The bridge has been constructed at a cost of Rs.24 crore.

Among others present on the occasion included local MP Smt. Ranee Narah, DGBR Lt Gen S. Ravi Shankar, GOC 3 Corps Lt Gen Arun Kumar Sahni and GOC 56 Infantry division Maj Gen Sanjay Kulkurni. Shri AK Bishnoi, Addl Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Dr. Subhash Sharma, Secretary, Border Roads Development Board were also present.

DM/NN