Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the country's longest bridge – the Dhola-Sadia Bridge in Assam today. <br/><br/>Mr Modi walked a short distance over the bridge and enjoyed two minutes of solitude amidst his hectic schedule, with a strong wind above him and gushing waters below him as his companions. <br/><br/>Mr Modi named the bridge after legendary singer Bhupen Hazarika. <br/><br/>This three lane, 9.15 kilometre bridge has been built over the Brahmaputra river. It links Dhola to Sadia, both in Assam. <br/><br/>The bridge will reduce the distance from Rupai on NH- 37 in Assam to Meka-Roing on NH-52 in Arunachal Pradesh by 165 KM. <br/><br/>The travel time between the two places will come down from the current six hours to just one hour, a total five hour reduction. <br/><br/>This will result in saving of petrol and diesel worth 10 Lakh rupees per day. <br/><br/>Road connectivity will see a major transformation as this bridge will fill a huge connectivity gap that has existed in the north east region. The only means to cross the Brahmaputra at this location till now has been by ferry in day-time and even this is not possible during floods. <br/><br/>This bridge will also give a major boost to overall economic development of the areas north of Brahmaputra in upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. <br/><br/>It will also cater to the strategic requirements of the country in the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh, besides facilitating numerous hydro power projects coming up in the state.<br/><br/>Mr Modi will also lay the foundation stone for two key projects – an All India Institute of Medical Sciences at Changsari in Kamrup district and an extended campus of Indian Council for Agricultural Research at Gogamukh in Dhemaji district. <br/><br/>The Prime Minister will address a rally at Khanapara Veterinary College Field in Guwahati in the evening on the occasion of completion of three years of his government. <br/><br/>The BJP-led NDA government at the Centre completes three years in office today. It was on this day in 2014, Mr Narendra Modi was sworn-in as Prime Minister following BJP's massive victory Lok Sabha elections.<br/><br/>A number of functions are being organised across the country to mark the occasion. Demonetization, Notification of Benami Property Act, Surgical strikes, OROP and GST are some bold and decisive decision of the government.<br/><br/>Later, addressing a public meeting at Dhola, the Prime Minister said that the inauguration of the bridge marks the end of a long wait for the people of this area. <br/><br/>The Prime Minister said infrastructure is extremely important for development, and the effort of the Union Government is to fulfil the dreams and wishes of the people. <br/><br/>He said this bridge enhances connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, and opens the door for economic development, on a big scale. <br/><br/>He said the eastern and north-eastern parts of the country have the greatest potential for economic development, and this bridge is just one element of the Union Government's vision in this regard. <br/><br/>The Prime Minister said the bridge will bring about a positive change in the lives of the common people. He said the Union Government is placing great emphasis on the development of waterways as well. <br/><br/>The Prime Minister said enhanced connectivity between the North-East and other parts of the country is a priority for the Union Government, and work has been greatly speeded up in this regard. He said that good connectivity in the North-East will also link the region with the economy of South-East Asia. <br/>