India's Longest Bridge On Its Deepest River Will Bring These Two States Closer By 3+ Hours

Last Updated:May 26, 2025, 09:24 IST

The 19.28 km bridge under construction between Phulbari in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills and Dhubri in Assam will be India’s longest river bridge once completed

The bridge will feature six lanes in total. Of these, four lanes will be open for regular traffic, while two will be reserved for emergency use. (News18 Hindi)

India’s infrastructure is expanding steadily, with visible progress in highways, expressways, metros, railways, bullet trains, flyovers, and bridges. One more project is now set to join this growing list—a bridge over the country’s widest and deepest river.

While most people know that the Ganga is India’s longest river, few realise that the Brahmaputra is the widest and deepest. With an average depth of 38 metres and a width exceeding 10 kilometres in several places, building a bridge across it is an extraordinary challenge. Yet, Indian engineers have risen to the occasion, pulling off a feat that is drawing global admiration.

India’s longest river bridge is currently under construction over the Brahmaputra, and approximately 59% of the work has been completed. If all goes according to plan, the bridge will be open to the public within the next two to three years.

Location

The bridge is being built between Phulbari in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya and the Dhubri district in Assam. Spanning 19.28 kilometres, it will be the longest river bridge in India once completed. The project promises to drastically reduce travel time between the two states. Currently, commuters must navigate hilly terrain, taking several hours to complete the journey. The bridge is being constructed by Larsen & Toubro.

Lanes and Cost

The bridge will feature six lanes—four for regular traffic and two reserved for emergency use. Construction began in December 2021, with a targeted completion date of September 2028. So far, around 12 kilometres of the 19-kilometre stretch has been completed. Built entirely on pillars, the bridge currently employs approximately 3,500 workers. A Japanese company is also providing funding support. The total estimated cost of construction is around Rs 5,000 crore.

Time and Distance Savings

Once operational, the bridge will reduce the road distance between Assam and Meghalaya from 250 kilometres to just 20. A journey that currently takes 4 to 5 hours will take only 20 to 30 minutes. Even crossing by boat, which presently takes 2 to 3 hours, will no longer be necessary once the bridge is complete.

Location :

Meghalaya | Assam, India

First Published:

News india India's Longest Bridge On Its Deepest River Will Bring These Two States Closer By 3+ Hours