The existing road network in Assam suffers from lack of permanent bridges. Semi-permanent timber bridges dominate the scene. The total length of such bridges is about 1.48 lakh meters. These bridges are vulnerable to the vagaries of nature and communications very often get disrupted particularly during monsoon. On the one hand, cost of annual maintenance and repairs of the semi-permanent timber (SPT) bridges is prohibitive while on the other hand, there is a reduced availability of seasoned timber of required specification for carrying out timely repair and restorations. The Government of Assam has rightly focused on conversion of SPT bridges to RCC bridges on a priority basis seeking NABARD's loan assistance under RIDF. Till RIDF-IX, 294 rural bridges have been sanctioned for the State of Assam.
So far, 95 bridges have been completed under various tranches of RIDF. The remaining bridges are under different stages of completion. The construction of bridges has had a trickle down effect on the economic development of the rural areas and its people by improving rural connectivity and reducing operating cost of the vehicles. This has also facilitated better marketing of agricultural and non-farm produce, timely supply of various inputs, reduction in wastage of marketable surplus etc.
95 bridges so far completed under RIDF - III, IV and V have connected 1380 villages and 519 market centres in addition to generating 102.90 lakh mandays of non-recurring employment.
(1) Bridge No.14/1 on Rajmayang Kajolichowki Road in Morigaon
District constructed under RIDF - II
The users of above bridge have expressed great satisfaction on the completion of the bridge which has contributed a lot towards the economic well-being of the people of Manaha, Kunwargaon, Jhargaon and Bhuragaon. Better communication, improved medical facilities, easy access to banks, educational facilities, etc. are some of the direct benefits accrued to the people of this area. Unemployed youth and local labourers were also benefited a lot during the construction period.
(2) Bridge No.1068/1 on old N. T. Road at Sandha over river Pagladia in Nalbari District constructed under RIDF-IV
Some of the users of above bridge (Shri. Nagen Mazumdar, Godhadhar Barua, Pulen Haloi etc.) opined that the old bridge was unserviceable since 1984 badly affecting transportation of agriculture produce and other materials to and from Nalbari market. The replacement of this bridge by RCC ensured uninterrupted communication and helped boosting of socio-economic conditions of the rural people of Sandha, Kairara, Paikarkuchi, Porakuchi, Balikuchi, Jajiabari, Sonamoti and Barkhanajan villages.
It is a matter of great satisfaction that, the rural bridges projects implemented under RIDF in Assam have resulted in better socio-cultural contact between rural areas and small towns/urban centres due to easy and quick accessibility and improvement in activity level, etc. Increased and easy availability of agricultural and industrial inputs and more opportunities for marketing of outputs has resulted in emergence of new growth centres leading to more employment opportunities for rural poor. Further, the bridges have also created opportunities for supplementary investment and indirect employment generation, better access to health care facilities, educational institutions, administrative establishments, etc., thereby resulting in improved standard of living.
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