Kalia Bhomora Bridge, Assam
A commemorative postage stamp on the Inauguration of Kolia Bhomora Setu, a pre-stressed concrete road bridge over Brahmaputra River on route of National Highway 715 (NH-37A) :
Issued by India
Issued on Apr 14, 1987
Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to issue a special stamp on Kalia Bhomora Bridge, Assam.
Description of Design : The 200p multicolour stamp has been designed by India Security Press, Nashik Road and shows an over view of the Kalia Bhomora Bridge across the Brahmaputra river in Tezpur. The cancellation has been designed by Miss Nenu Bagga and Mrs. Alka Sharma.
Type : Stamp, Postal Used
Colour : Multi colour
Denomination : 200 Paise
Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.
Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.
Perforation : 13 x 13
Paper : Imported unwatermarked Adhesive Gr. coated stamp paper
Number Printed : 15,00,000
Number per issue sheet : 35
Printing Process : Photogravure
Printed at : India Security Press
About :
- KALIA BHOMORA ROAD BRIDGE named after the illustrious Ahom General across river Brahmaputra at Tezpur is a legendary land mark in the process of development of North East Region of the country. The river Brahmaputra; one of the five mighty rivers of the world always fascinated bridge engineers; and has remained a technical challenge for decades due to its ferocity and magnitude alongwith most unpredictable behaviour. The first ever bridge across the Brahmaputra was constructed by the Indian Railways in 1962 at Saraighat near Guwahati. Incidentally, the second bridge is also being constructed by Indian Railways on behalf of the North Eastern Council.
- The bridge forms a part of the total scheme of providing a 23 km long link between National Highways, 52 on North Bank and National Highway, 37 on South Bank.
- The need for a second bridge across the Brahmaputra on its course of 920 kms in India was long felt from socio-economic considerations of the North Eastern States which remain connected with the rest of the country only through the existing bridge at Saraighat. The North Eastern Council – an agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India sponsored the project in November 1975. After detailed studies, the project was finally commissioned in March 1979 by awarding the prestigious construction of 3 km long bridge alongwith a massive guide bund of 2 km including 1.7 km river approach to Indian Railways – in recognition of the technical excellence of Railways in bridging all the major rivers of the country.
- The N.F. Railways Construction Organisation took up this challenging task and physical work on the bridge started in October 1981. The bridge is being completed in a record time of 64 months by working against all odds. It required preparations on war footing for developing infra-structure and meticulous engineering planning in organising the works as the river Brahmaputra remains in floods from the month of April to October leaving a shorter working period as compared to the other major rivers of the country.
- The cost of the entire scheme works out to Rs. 89 crores.
- The work has involved the use of latest construction technology and necessitated the large scale mobilisation of plants and machineries worth Rs. 20 crores, alongwith a strong work force of 6000 men working round the clock in adverse weather conditions.
- The project once opened to the traffic will work as an active catalyst in accelerating the process of the development of North Eastern States.
- KALIA BHOMORA after whom the bridge has been named was a prominent figure of the 18th century in the history of Assam. He was appointed as an autonomous Governor, called Bar Phukan in Guwahati. He fought several battles to crush rebellions against the Ahom Kings. He organised and trained armies to a high level of war skill. Apart from being an efficient General and an able administrator Kalia Bhomora made outstanding contribution to religion and public welfare. He had conceived a plan to build a bridge across the river Brahmaputra at Bhomoraguri, near Tezpur. He made advanced preparations for the actual construction of this bridge, but unfortunately he died before the commencement of work on the bridge. Even today large sal wood logs and other material for the construction of the bridge can be found in this area.
- The site of the modern bridge being inaugurated today is the same as that chosen by Kalia Bhomora.
