Strategic Bridge over Tlawng River Inaugurated in Mizoram

Chief Minister Lalduhoma inaugurated the Lengtekai bridge over the Tlawng River, a significant infrastructure project funded by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways costing Rs 43.83 crore. Named the ‘Faith Bridge’, it spans 100 meters in length and 7.5 meters in width, with footpaths on both sides, designed to handle loads up to 385 metric tons, enhancing transport safety and capacity in the region.

During the inauguration, the Chief Minister shared insights about the challenges faced during the bridge’s launching phase in December 2024, which was hindered by a pulley failure, causing considerable delays. After months of technical preparations, the launch was successfully executed in April 2025, followed by the completion of finishing works, including approach roads, in September 2025. The bridge replaces older Bailey structures that had limited load capacities and were prone to damage, thus facilitating unrestricted traffic flow.

The Chief Minister highlighted the strategic importance of the bridge, which serves as a crucial corridor for Mamit district, home to approximately 85,000 people across 90 villages according to the 2011 Census. The area has notable agricultural potential, bolstered by rubber cultivation initiatives under the Chief Minister Rubber Mission. The bridge connects Mizoram with Tripura and Bangladesh, aiding in the transportation of locally sourced Langkaih river sand and providing access to Lengpui Airport and educational institutions such as the National Institute of Technology Mizoram. Furthermore, the Mamit–Bairabi corridor is expected to gain increasing significance with expanding regional connectivity.

Emphasizing the government’s commitment to timely and quality project completion, the Chief Minister acknowledged that Mizoram’s road density, currently around 46.37 km per 100 sq km, is below the national average, thus prioritizing infrastructure development remains critical. He expressed gratitude to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the central government for their ongoing support and responsiveness to state requirements.

The construction of the bridge was managed by Poddar Infra Tech, with design consultancy from Force Structural Engineering Pvt. Ltd., proof consultancy by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, and safety supervision by Engineering Project Consultants. Strict quality assurance measures were implemented throughout the construction process, including continuous material testing at an on-site laboratory, with raw materials sourced from Assam. Additionally, steel components were fabricated in Rourkela and transported in sections for assembly, utilizing specialized carbon steel tension rods from Thailand for the hanger system. Comprehensive load testing upon completion validated the bridge’s operational safety and capacity for all vehicle classes.