Aizawl, February 17: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma inaugurated the strategically vital Lengtekai Bridge over the Tlawng River on Tuesday, marking a significant boost to connectivity with Tripura and neighboring Bangladesh. Officially named ‘Faith Bridge,’ this 100-meter-long, 7.5-meter-wide structure, complete with 1.5-meter sidewalks on both sides, can bear loads up to 385 metric tons. Funded by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways with Rs 43.83 crore, the bridge promises enhanced traffic safety and capacity in the state’s western region.
The CM recounted the challenges during construction, including a pulley failure in December 2024 that delayed the bridge launch. After months of technical preparations, a successful relaunch occurred in April 2025, with all finishing works, including approach roads, completed by September 2025. This new bridge replaces an old Bailey bridge plagued by limited load capacity and frequent damage, eliminating issues like weight restrictions and vehicle offloading for smoother, safer passage.
Serving as a crucial corridor for Mamit district—home to nearly 85,000 people and 90 villages—the Faith Bridge will unlock agricultural potential, particularly under the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission. It facilitates easier access to Lengpui Airport, the National Institute of Technology Mizoram, and transport links to Tripura and Bangladesh. Local sand transport from the Langkai River will also benefit significantly.
Lalduhoma highlighted Mizoram’s low road density of about 46.37 km per 100 sq km, far below the national average, underscoring the government’s priority on infrastructure expansion. He expressed gratitude to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the central government for their support. Construction quality was rigorously monitored with an on-site lab, steel components fabricated in Rourkela and assembled locally, and specialized carbon steel tension rods from Thailand used in the hanger system. Comprehensive load testing confirmed its safety for all vehicle categories.
As a hilly state bordering Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, Mizoram stands to gain immensely from this bridge in regional connectivity and economic momentum.