Guwahati, Aug. 23: The North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (Neepco) today presented Nagaland with what it claims to be the “longest Bailey bridge in the country” that would cater to five districts in the hill state.

Work on the bridge, built at a cost of Rs 7.8 crore, started way back in 1999 but was stalled because of “law and order” and some technical problems. However, construction resumed in February this year.

“The 600-foot bridge over river Chubi in Wokha district will reduce the distance between Mokokchung and Dimapur by about 80km,” R. Sarma, in-charge of Doyang hydroelectric project of Neepco, told The Telegraph over phone.

The present distance from Mokokchung to Dimapur via Mariani (Jorhat district)-Golaghat through the Dhodar Ali is about 220km.

The project is a part of Neepco’s corporate social responsibility schemes.

A Bailey bridge is a portable pre-fabricated truss bridge, actually designed for use by military engineering units.

The Neepco official said the bridge would be handed over to the road and bridge department of the Nagaland government.

Official sources in Nagaland said the state government would soon start road construction towards Dimapur via Merapani, as the bridge was ready for commuters now, which would also ease connectivity between different districts and the state capital.

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the bridge in the presence of Neepco chairman I.P. Barooah and senior state government and corporation’s officials.

“This is a historical moment for Nagaland. The bridge will be of great help in improving the communication network in our state,” Rio said while inaugurating the bridge.

The chief minister also appealed to Neepco for co-operation in solving various problems of the local people in the Doyang area where the power corporation has a hydro electric project.

Apart from the bridge construction, the corporation has also undertaken community development programmes like constructing community halls, kitchens and toilets and water supply schemes in the neighbouring villages near the Doyang project.

Sarma said the villagers in Sungro area of Wokha district and also some villages in Mokokchung and Zunheboto districts would greatly benefit, as the bridge will shorten the route to Dimapur via Merapani. “One need not take the Dimapur-Mariani route now to go to Mokokchung,” he added.

The Neepco chairman said Nagaland was a storehouse of natural resources and corporation intends to tap these resources for the country’s development.