{{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 = |carries= 2 road lanes <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://northeastlivetv.com/2019/01/18/arunachal-defence-minister-sitharaman-inaugurates-strategic-bridge-over-diffo-river/|title=Arunachal: Defence Minister Sitharaman inaugurates strategic bridge over Diffo river|last=desk|first=Northeast Live web|date=2019-01-18|website=North East Live|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-11}}</ref> |crosses= Diffo river (Chimpu river) |locale= Tezu and Roing |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}}<ref name="PIB">{{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}}</ref> |complete={{end date|df=yes|2019}}<ref name="PIB"/> |open= {{start date and age|df=yes|18 Jan 2019}}<ref name="PIB"/> |closed= |toll= Free both ways |coordinates = |map_type= }}
'''Diffo Bridge''' is a pre-stressed concrete box girder bridge over the Diffo river (Chipu river)<ref>{{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}}</ref> in Arunachal Pradesh, India. This {{convert|426.60|m|ft}} long bridge was inaugurated in 2019 by the Union Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.<ref name="PIB"/><ref name="GKT">{{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}}</ref>
==Construction== The construction started in 2011<ref name="GKT" /> by Border Roads Organisation under Project Udayak.<ref name="GKT" /> 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.<ref name="PIB" /> Tough working conditions in an inhospitable terrain facing turbulent flash floods, made construction difficult. It was completed in 8 years.<ref name="PIB" /> The bridge was inaugurated by the Union Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 18 January 2019.<ref name="PIB" />
==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.<ref name="Telegraph" /> The new bridge provides uninterrupted access between Dibang Valley and Lohit valley of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh on Roing-Koron-Paya Road.<ref name="GKT"/> 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.<ref name="Telegraph">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Telegraph"/> Strategically, it provides an all-weather route for troops deployed on the China border (the McMahon line).<ref>{{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}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{coord missing|Arunachal Pradesh}}
Category:2019 establishments in Arunachal Pradesh Category:Bridges completed in 2019 Category:Bridges in Arunachal Pradesh