Tezpur, June 9, 2025 (Monday): A formal appeal has been submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting that the Chakighat Bridge over the JiaBharali River in Tezpur be named after former Member of Parliament Dr. Purna Narayan Sinha.
On Friday (June 6, 2025), Dr. Parashmoni Sinha, Director of Human Rights Commission and Editor-in-Chief of Mahajati Twenty Four Live, submitted the application letter at the Prime Minister’s Office in New Delhi. Dr. Parashmoni Sinha, who is the son of the late Dr. Purna Narayan Sinha, made this demand in the public interest representing the people of Northern Bank of Assam. The bridge is built over the Jiya Bharali River in Tezpur, Sonitpur district, and connects historic Tezpur to Lakhimpur district.
Dr. Purna Narayan Sinha served as Member of Parliament from the Janata Party in 1978, representing the Tezpur constituency. He was notably the only non-Congress MP from Assam that year. Dr. Sinha had immense personality with unrestricted movement in literature, culture, and politics. His tireless hard work and persistent attitude compelled the people’s government to establish the Kaliabhomora Bridge. In 1979, he conceptualized and worked on the construction of the second bridge over the Jiya Bharali River – the Chakighat Bridge – along with its mapping.
The same year, Dr. Sinha proposed the construction of a second bridge over the JiaBharali River at Chakighat. From 1980 until his death on January 25, 2001, he consistently advocated for this bridge project in Parliament, never changing his party affiliation throughout his political career. People of Northern Bank Assam have been demanding through memorandums, newspapers, and public meetings that the state government name the bridge after Dr. Sinha. The appeal highlights his dedication and determination in working for the people throughout his life.
Dr. Sinha was closely associated with prominent national leaders including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Morarji Desai, Chandra Shekhar, L.K. Advani, George Fernandes, and others. The Chakighat Bridge, which has become a vital infrastructure connecting North Assam, represents the fulfillment of Dr. Sinha’s decades-long vision for improved connectivity in the region.
