NH-37 Lifeline Hit: Gaurav Gogoi Seeks Urgent Action After Bridge Collapse

Gaurav Gogoi, president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee and Lok Sabha MP, has sought urgent intervention from the Centre following the collapse of the Gammon Bridge over the Dikhow River in Sivasagar, which has disrupted a key transport route in Upper Assam.
In a letter addressed to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Gogoi urged immediate restoration of connectivity on National Highway 37 (NH-37), describing it as a lifeline for the region’s movement of people and goods.
The decades-old bridge, reportedly built in the early 1960s, partially collapsed in the early hours of March 27–28, forcing authorities to halt vehicular movement along the crucial highway stretch. No casualties were reported, but the incident has caused significant inconvenience to commuters and disrupted supply chains across Upper Assam.
Raising concerns over alleged negligence, Gogoi claimed that visible structural damage had been noticed weeks before the collapse. Despite restrictions on heavy vehicles and ongoing repair efforts, he said, the bridge eventually gave way, pointing to lapses in timely intervention and monitoring.
In his communication, Gogoi called for both immediate and long-term measures, including rapid repair of the affected stretch, a comprehensive audit of ageing bridges across Assam, and the strengthening of maintenance and inspection mechanisms to prevent similar incidents.
The Congress leader also criticised the state government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing it of neglecting core infrastructure issues. He alleged that inadequate attention to maintenance of critical assets had led to the present situation.
The collapse has once again drawn attention to the condition of ageing infrastructure in Assam, particularly along major transport corridors like NH-37. With the 2026 Assam Assembly elections approaching, the issue is expected to gain political traction, with opposition parties likely to question the government’s record on infrastructure and public safety.