The bridge is expected to significantly enhance India's defence capability by ensuring faster movement of troops and supplies to Arunachal Pradesh. "It was constructed in such a way that even a fighter jet can land on it in case of emergency," a source said

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the strategically important Bogibeel bridge, India's longest rail-road bridge, over the Brahmaputra river at Bogibeel near Dibrugarh in Assam.

Addressing a rally after inaugurating the bridge, PM Modi said that Bogibeel will strengthen the country's defence prowess with movement of vehicles and trains.

Built at an estimated cost of over Rs 5,000 crore, the 4.94-km-long double-decker bridge is expected to significantly enhance India's defence capability by ensuring faster movement of troops and supplies to Arunachal Pradesh, which borders China.

"The bridge will enhance the national security of the eastern region by facilitating swift movement of defence forces and their equipment. It was constructed in such a way that even a fighter jet can land on it in case of emergency," a source said.

A senior Army official had earlier said the biggest advantage of the bridge will be easy movement of troops from southern to northern bank.

"This means travelling to the farthest point of India's border with China will be shortened by several hundred kilometres," he had said.

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) chief public relations officer Pranav Jyoti Sharma added that the bridge will provide logistical support for the Indian Army manning the border.

China has been laying new roads and improving its overall infrastructure along the nearly 4,000 km long border with India.

The massive infrastructure development by the neighbouring country has prompted India to ramp up infrastructure on its side.