In what can be seen as a political stunt by the ruling BJP in Assam ahead of the Assembly Elections in the State, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday flagged of the construction work of the Majuli-Jorhat Bridge after delaying it for 5 years.

The 8-km long Majuli-Jorhat Bridge project was initiated by the then NDA Government at the Centre in 2016.

Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!

However, it took the BJP Governments at the Centre and Assam 5-long years to begin the construction work of the bridge.

It is only now, with barely a month or two left for Assam Assembly Elections that the ruling BJP Governments at the Centre and the State decided to start the construction work of the Majuli-Jorhat Bridge.

The inauguration of the construction work of the Majuli-Jorhat two-lane bridge is being seen by many including the opposition parties in Assam as a mere political stunt of the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections.

Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the construction work of the much awaited Majuli-Jorhat Bridge via video conferencing on Thursday.

The bridge has been a longstanding demand of the people Majuli who for decades have depended on ferry services for connectivity with mainland Assam.

Also read: Keeping hopes of Assamese people aside, Assam Government says it cannot implement Clause 6 report

The inauguration programme was attended by Union Roads and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Assam Ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and Pijush Hazarika.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who is an MLA from Majuli, said, “Construction of the Bridge over the Brahmaputra connecting Jorhat to the sacred river island Majuli is a great infra project for New India.”

Other than the Majuli-Jorhat Bridge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also laid the foundation stone of India’s longest bridge which will connect Dhubri in Assam with Phulbari in Meghalaya.

The 19km bridge will be India’s longest bridge.

Also read: More harassment to general public awaits: Assam BJP to bring law asking couples to disclose religion & income if voted to power

Speaking during the inauguration, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “Demand for a bridge over river Brahmaputra, between Dhubri in Assam and Phulbari in Meghalaya is at least 10 years old. With this, distance between Dhubri and Phulbari will be shortened by at least 203 kms.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also launched the ‘Mahabahu Brahmaputra’.

The launch of ‘Mahabahu-Brahmaputra’ marked by the inauguration of the Ro-Pax vessel operations between Neamati Ghat-Majuli, North Guwahati-Guwahati and Dhubri-Hatsingimari.