Dhubri-Phulbari bridge, Cable bridge across Brahmaputra River, India
The Dhubri-Phulbari bridge is a cable-supported crossing over the Brahmaputra between Dhubri in Assam and Phulbari in Meghalaya, stretching 19 kilometers in length. The structure features four lanes and uses steel cables supported by towers to span the wide river.
Construction began in 2019 to solve a challenge of crossing the Brahmaputra that had persisted for centuries, requiring long boat journeys between the two states. Before the crossing was built, travelers had to rely on ferries that consumed time and lacked reliability.
The crossing unites settlements in Assam with those in Meghalaya, making it easier for people from different backgrounds to meet and trade where the river once divided them. Families and merchants now connect in minutes where a long journey was once required.
The four-lane connection cuts travel time between Dhubri and Phulbari from three hours by ferry to under ten minutes by vehicle. Pedestrians and cyclists can also use the crossing but should watch for traffic.
The design accounts for earthquake resistance and leaves navigation channels for river vessels beneath the structure. Engineers had to factor in the strong current and changing water levels of the Brahmaputra throughout the planning.
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