ABHIJIT KALITA
GUWAHATI,Sept 4: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), stationed at Patgaon in Azara conducted a rescue awareness programme, mock drill, and training session for workers engaged in the construction of the four-lane bridge over the Brahmaputra connecting Mazirgaon near Palasbari in South Kamrup and Sualkuchi in North Kamrup today.
The ambitious project, being executed by the Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has engaged over five hundred workers who are working day and night to complete the bridge. To ensure the safety of workers, engineers and other staff involved in the construction activities over the river, L&T, in collaboration with the NDRF, has adopted several precautionary measures.
As part of this initiative, a 30-member NDRF team led by Inspector Indra Mohan Singh and supervised by Assistant Commandant Ajay Manas along with two expert divers, conducted the mock drill at the construction site. More than 300 workers, staff, and engineers were trained on how to respond in case of accidental falls into the river, rescue procedures, first-aid practices, and safety protocols while working on water.
Speaking on the occasion, Pankaj Kumar, head of the bridge project’s safety department , said “Since the piling and other construction activities are being carried out in the middle of the river round the clock, we have been conducting such awareness and safety drills regularly with the help of NDRF to prevent any loss of life or property. This becomes especially crucial during the monsoon season when the water level of the Brahmaputra rises significantly.”
The four-lane bridge under construction since late last year, is being implemented by the Assam Public Works Department under the Externally Aided Project (EAP) with financial assistance of around Rs 3,200 crore from the New Development Bank. The bridge will be 12.21 km long and 28 metres wide, with the main river-crossing portion covering 3.6 km.
Once completed, the bridge is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Palasbari and Sualkuchi, benefiting nearby areas including Mazirgaon under Jalukbari constituency. It will also boost trade and commerce while easing transportation in the region. According to official estimates, about 25 percent of the work has already been completed, and the project is scheduled for completion by 2028 as earlier announced by Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.