Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s longest bridge across the Lohit river, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, in Assam on May 26, 2017, naming it after famous singer Bhupen Hazarika. The bridge, 9.1-km-long, connects Sadiya and Dhola, in Tinsukia district, situated close to Arunachal Pradesh. It will reduce travel time between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh from six hours to one hour. Built at a cost of ₹2,056 crore, the Bhupen Hazarika bridge has been designed to allow movement of military vehicles, according to ocials. This will make it easier for Army convoys to reach border outposts. Mr. Modi said the Northeast region must lay stress on development of infrastructure so that it can attract more tourists. China, which has a dispute with India over Arunachal Pradesh, put out a statement, asking India to be “cautious” about building infrastructure in the State.
