Abstract:
Geographical isolation, poor regional connectivity coupled with perennial flooding
of the mighty Brahmaputra has added to woes of the North East India. The study
pertains to the state of Assam which when examined, one would find that there is
a wide intra state disparity. The focus is on India’s longest road cum rail bridgeBogibeel Bridge between the north-eastern bank district of Dhemaji and southeastern bank district of Dibrugarh which is set to challenge this notion.
Looking into the development history of the north bank of Upper Assam, the
district of Dhemaji had been the most backward region of Assam until the other
day when the bridge was operationalised (December 2018). The district of
Dibrugarh is one of the richest districts of Assam. This study is an attempt to
capture the pre and post bridge development scenario in the sub-districts of
Dhemaji and Dibrugarh.
Longitudinal research methodology has been used to study the various factors
bridging transformation in the area of interest. This research looks into the
prospect of bridging the gap between the two districts both literally and
figuratively. The focus of the study is restrictive and will make an attempt to
establish the changes from three angles: spatial, occupational and transportation.
The transformation in spatial and livelihood factors have been studied from the
year the bridge was commissioned, while the changes in transportation have
been studied post operation.
This study looks into demographic, livelihood, infrastructural, socio-behavioural,
spatial as well as benefits in transportation with respect to regional connectivity
and traffic plying on the bridge in the post operational scenario. This research
attempts to identify the factors which lead to transformation due to connectivity-at
both micro and macro level.
