Assam Brahmaputra bridges: BJP claims 6 built in a decade, 6 more underway
Synopsis
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma is pushing a sweeping Brahmaputra bridge agenda — six built, six under construction — framing it as proof of BJP's development edge over Congress's six decades in power. But the numbers come with caveats: several 'BJP bridges' had roots in earlier administrations. The proposed Morigaon-Darrang crossing is the latest addition to a list that will face scrutiny on timelines and spending.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced plans for a bridge connecting Morigaon and Darrang across the Brahmaputra at an event in Lahowal, Dibrugarh .
The BJP claims six bridges were built over the Brahmaputra during its decade in power, against three in nearly six decades of Congress rule.
Six more bridges are reportedly under construction; the Centre has backed projects including Dhubri-Phulbari , Gohpur-Numaligarh , and Palashbari-Sualkuchi .
Key completed projects include the Bhupen Hazarika Setu (2017) and the Bogibeel road-cum-rail bridge (2018).
Critics note some post-2014 inaugurations covered projects approved or begun under the previous government, complicating the BJP-Congress comparison.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has reaffirmed his government's commitment to expanding cross-Brahmaputra connectivity, with a proposed bridge linking Morigaon and Darrang districts among the projects being planned. Speaking at a public gathering in Lahowal, Dibrugarh, Sarma said infrastructure development must be guided by local needs and the economic potential of the regions being connected.
The BJP's Infrastructure Record Over the Brahmaputra
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has made bridge construction a centrepiece of its development narrative in Assam. Chief Minister Sarma has claimed that six bridges were built over the Brahmaputra during the BJP's decade in power, compared with three constructed during the Congress's nearly six decades of rule. He has also stated that construction is currently underway on another six bridges.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a December 2025 address, echoed this framing, noting that only three major bridges had been built over the Brahmaputra in the six to seven decades following Independence, while four new mega bridges had been completed in the preceding decade.
Key Projects and What They Connect
The flagship projects associated with the BJP period include the Dhola-Sadiya Bridge — officially named the Bhupen Hazarika Setu — inaugurated in 2017, and the Bogibeel road-cum-rail bridge, inaugurated in 2018. The second Saraighat bridge was also completed and dedicated to the nation during this period, though some of these projects had seen construction begin under earlier administrations.
The Dhola-Sadiya bridge provides a critical road link between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, while Bogibeel has significantly strengthened road and rail connectivity between Dibrugarh and Dhemaji.
New Projects in the Pipeline
The Centre has backed a series of additional crossings, including the Dhubri-Phulbari bridge, the Gohpur-Numaligarh bridge, and the Palashbari-Sualkuchi bridge. A 2018 government announcement listed these as proposed projects at varying stages of Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation. The scale of the proposed expansion is considerable for a state where the Brahmaputra effectively divides large contiguous geographical areas, constraining the movement of people, goods, and agricultural produce.
A Contested Comparison
Analysts and critics note that the BJP-Congress comparison requires careful interpretation. Some infrastructure projects inaugurated after 2014 had received approval or commenced construction under the previous government. The distinction between bridges completed, projects inaugurated, and construction initiated is material to any honest accounting of the record. The government is expected to face continued scrutiny over project timelines, expenditure, and delivery milestones as it positions bridge-building as evidence of an accelerated development pace in the Northeast.
What the Morigaon-Darrang Link Means
The proposed Morigaon-Darrang bridge, once realised, would connect two districts separated by the river, potentially reducing travel distances and opening up agricultural and commercial routes. Officials have indicated the project will be planned with the region's specific requirements in mind, though no timeline or cost estimate has been announced publicly yet. With connectivity remaining a persistent challenge across Assam's riverine geography, the proposed bridge could be a significant addition — if it clears the procedural and funding hurdles that have delayed similar projects in the past.
Point of View
And several of the projects cited had planning or construction roots in the Congress era. What matters more than the headcount is whether the pipelines currently under construction — Dhubri-Phulbari, Gohpur-Numaligarh, and the proposed Morigaon-Darrang link — are on schedule and within budget. The Northeast's connectivity deficit is real, the economic case for each crossing is strong, and the electorate will ultimately judge on delivery rather than comparisons with the past.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bridges has the BJP government built over the Brahmaputra?
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has claimed that six bridges were built over the Brahmaputra during the BJP's decade in power, with six more currently under construction. Critics note that some projects inaugurated after 2014 had been approved or begun under the previous Congress government.
What is the proposed Morigaon-Darrang bridge?
It is a planned crossing over the Brahmaputra that would connect Morigaon and Darrang districts in Assam. CM Sarma announced it at a gathering in Lahowal, Dibrugarh, saying the project would be designed keeping local needs and regional economic potential in mind. No official timeline or cost has been disclosed yet.
Which are the major Brahmaputra bridges completed under the BJP government?
The key projects include the Bhupen Hazarika Setu (Dhola-Sadiya bridge), inaugurated in 2017, linking Assam and Arunachal Pradesh; the Bogibeel road-cum-rail bridge, inaugurated in 2018, connecting Dibrugarh and Dhemaji; and the second Saraighat bridge. Some of these had construction origins under earlier administrations.
Which new Brahmaputra bridge projects are in the pipeline?
The Centre has backed the Dhubri-Phulbari bridge, the Gohpur-Numaligarh bridge, and the Palashbari-Sualkuchi bridge, among others. As of a 2018 government announcement, these were at different stages of Detailed Project Report preparation.
Why is the BJP-Congress comparison on bridge construction contested?
Analysts point out that some bridges inaugurated after 2014 had been approved or started under the Congress-led government, making a simple count of completions by tenure misleading. The key distinction is between projects completed, projects inaugurated, and construction merely initiated — a nuance that shapes any fair assessment of either party's infrastructure record.
