New Delhi, July 5 (IANS) A strategically important 480-metre bridge built on River Simen in Arunachal Pradesh by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), an agency of the defence ministry, has been declared open by Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju.
The bridge, a key link on the Akajan-Jonai-Pasighat National Highway-52 in the state bordering China, will facilitate faster movement of troops, war machines and equipment to the frontier.
On the occasion, Raju said the opening of the bridge with national highway double lane specifications will usher in a new era of development for the civil population, army and paramilitary forces and a host of other agencies working for infrastructure development of the region.
The bridge will also facilitate early completion of the broad gauge rail conversion project between Rangiya and Murkongselek, he added.
The existing rail-cum-road bridge was a major bottleneck for smooth flow of road traffic.
The minister said the bridge works, at a cost of Rs.24 crore, had continued even during monsoons and during day and night by using generators.
Local MP Ranee Narah, BRO Director General Lt. Gen. S. Ravi Shankar, 3 Corps General Officer Commanding Lt. Gen. Arun Kumar Sahni, 56 Infantry Division General Officer Commanding Maj. Gen. Sanjay Kulkurni, Defence Ministry Additional Secretary A.K. Bishnoi and Border Roads Development Board Secretary Subash Sharma were also present at the inaugural ceremony.
