L&T turns L1 bidder for ₹4,997-cr Bridge in North East

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has emerged as the lowest (L1) bidder for building India's longest river bridge connecting Dhubri in Assam to Phulbari in Meghalaya. The 19.3 km long bridge will be built over the Brahmaputra and will reduce travel distance by 203 km. The company quoted a cost of ₹3,166 crore, which is over ₹1,000 crore lower than the amount quoted by other bidders. Expected to be completed by 2026-27, the four-lane bridge will be built along NH-127-B and is considered to be strategic as it connects Assam and Meghalaya with the rest of the nation. Currently, those travelling across these states either have to take Naranarayan bridge, which is a huge inconvenience as it is 60 km upstream, or alternatively, row across the river in small boats, which can take about two-and-a-half hours. The bridge was proposed five years ago by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL). The total cost of the project is expected to be ₹4,997.04 crore, which includes land acquisition and resettlement cost worth ₹55.68 crore.