Diffo Bridge
{{short description|Bridge in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox bridge
|name= Diffo Bridge
|image=
| image_size = 300px
|caption=Diffo Bridge
|official_name=
|native_name =
|crosses= Diffo river (Chimpu river)
|maint= Border Road Organization
|designer=
|design= Pre-stressed concrete box girder bridge
|builder = Border Road Organization
|mainspan=
|length= {{convert|426.60|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
|width=
|height=
|clearance=
|below=
|traffic=
|material=Concrete
|begin={{start date|df=yes|2011}}{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=187606|title=Raksha Mantri Dedicates Diffo Bridge in Arunachal to The Nation|website=pib.gov.in|access-date=2019-09-11}}
|complete={{end date|df=yes|2019}}
|open= {{start date and age|df=yes|18 Jan 2019}}
|closed=
|toll= Free both ways
|coordinates =
|map_type=
}}
Diffo Bridge is a pre-stressed concrete box girder bridge over the Diffo river (Chipu river){{Cite web|url=https://arunachalobserver.org/2019/01/19/sitharaman-dedicates-strategic-bridge-diffo-bridge-boon-troop-movement-indo-china-border/|title=Sitharaman dedicates strategic bridge {{!}} 'Diffo Bridge a boon for troop movement to Indo-China border'|date=2019-01-19|website=Arunachal Observer|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-11}} in Arunachal Pradesh, India. This {{convert|426.60|m|ft}} long bridge was inaugurated in 2019 by the Union Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.{{Cite web|url=https://currentaffairs.gktoday.in/diffo-bridge-arunachal-pradesh-inaugurated-01201964718.html|title=Diffo Bridge of Arunachal Pradesh Inaugurated|date=2019-01-19|website=Current Affairs Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-11}}
Construction
The construction started in 2011 by Border Roads Organisation under Project Udayak. It was built for an estimated cost of {{INRConvert|4847.83|l|lk=b}}, which was funded by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Tough working conditions in an inhospitable terrain facing turbulent flash floods, made construction difficult. It was completed in 8 years. The bridge was inaugurated by the Union Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 18 January 2019.
Significance
Earlier, Indian Defense Forces had laid the Bailey bridge over the Diffo River. It was a temporary structure that had to be closed during most rains. The new bridge provides uninterrupted access between Dibang Valley and Lohit valley of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh on Roing-Koron-Paya Road. Lohit valley is the corridor that leads to Kibithu, the battleground of the 1962 Indo-Sino war and Lower Dibang Valley leads to the Anini front of border with China.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/smooth-ride-to-china-border/cid/1682113|title=Smooth ride to China border|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-11}} The bridge reduced traveling time between Tezu and Roing (district headquarters of Lohit Valley and Lower Dibang Valley respectively) from 3 hours to 45 minutes. During a monsoon, the old route took travelers through Assam. Strategically, it provides an all-weather route for troops deployed on the China border (the McMahon line).{{Cite web|url=https://www.defencedirecteducation.com/diffo-bridge-arunachal-pradesh-important-india/|title=Why The Diffo Bridge In Arunanchal Pradesh Is Important For India|website=www.defencedirecteducation.com|access-date=2019-09-11}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{coord missing|Arunachal Pradesh}}
Category:2019 establishments in Arunachal Pradesh