Aizawl, Feb 18: Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Tuesday inaugurated the Lengtekai Bridge, officially named “Faith Bridge,” over the Tlawng River in Aizawl district. The project was constructed under funding from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways at a cost of ₹43.83 crore.

The 100-metre-long bridge, with a width of 7.5 metres and 1.5-metre footpaths on both sides, is designed to carry loads of up to 385 metric tonnes. The structure replaces older Bailey bridges that had limited load capacity and were repeatedly damaged, resulting in traffic restrictions. The new bridge eliminates load limits and the need for vehicle unloading, allowing uninterrupted and safer movement.

Addressing the inauguration programme, Lalduhoma referred to technical challenges faced during the bridge launching in December 2024, when a pulley failure caused delays. After renewed preparations, the launching was successfully carried out in April 2025. Finishing works, including approach roads, were completed in September 2025, paving the way for its formal opening.

The Chief Minister said the bridge holds strategic importance for Mamit district, which has a population of around 85,000 across nearly 90 villages as per Census 2011. He noted the district’s agricultural potential, including rubber cultivation under the state’s Chief Minister Rubber Mission. The route connects Mizoram with Tripura and Bangladesh, facilitates transport of Langkaih river sand, and provides access to Lengpui Airport and the National Institute of Technology Mizoram. He added that the Mamit–Bairabi corridor is expected to gain further importance with expanding regional connectivity.

Highlighting infrastructure needs, Lalduhoma stated that Mizoram’s road density, currently about 46.37 km per 100 sq km, remains below the national average, making accelerated development a priority.

He acknowledged the support of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the central government for cooperation in implementing the project.

The bridge was constructed by Poddar Infra Tech, with design consultancy from Force Structural Engineering Pvt. Ltd. and proof consultancy by Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. Safety oversight was carried out by Engineering Project Consultants.

Officials stated that strict quality assurance measures were followed during construction. An on-site laboratory conducted regular testing of materials, including aggregates and sand sourced from Assam. Steel components were fabricated in Rourkela and transported in sections for assembly, while specialized carbon steel tension rods for the hanger system were manufactured in Thailand. Comprehensive load testing was conducted after completion to confirm operational safety and capacity for all classes of vehicles.