The much-anticipated Jorhat-Majuli Bridge project, sanctioned in 2021 with an initial budget of Rs 925 crore, has hit a major roadblock, with only 32% of the work completed so far. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi confronted the government in Lok Sabha on March 12, questioning Union Minister Nitin Gadkari about the stalled construction and mismanagement that has plagued the project.
Work on the 8-km bridge, aimed at connecting Majuli—the world’s largest river island—with mainland Assam, has been completely halted since September 2024 due to contractor withdrawal and mismanagement issues. Gogoi revealed that the project’s cost has now escalated to approximately Rs 1,225 crore, causing further delays and financial strain.
During his address, Gogoi stated, “The government took responsibility for this bridge, but work has been halted since September 2024. Just 30% has been completed. I visited the site and was informed that the project would be re-tendered in January, but no action has been taken so far.”
The delay has left residents of Majuli reliant on unreliable ferry services, especially during flooding seasons, causing significant hardship.
In a recent development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Expenditure Finance Committee of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved a revised cost estimate of approximately Rs 700 crore for the bridge. Sarma also indicated that tender processes would begin soon, potentially allowing construction to resume.
The Jorhat-Majuli Bridge is a critical infrastructure project for the region, promising to improve connectivity and ease the daily struggles of Majuli residents. However, with delays and cost escalations, the timeline for its completion remains uncertain.
Stay tuned for updates on this pivotal project as the government works to address the challenges and restart construction.
