Independent Design Checking of Brahmaputra Bridge, Guwahati - Sharing Experience & Lessons Learnt

The new bridge over river Brahmaputra connecting Guwahati and North Guwahati is currently in the advanced stages of construction. Designed to be an iconic bridge with state-of-the-art aesthetic features, it is being built at a cost of INR 26 billion (USD 316 million). This mega project includes not only the river bridge over the mighty river Brahmaputra but also long elevated viaducts and approaches on both sides. The project is being executed in EPC mode. The paper brings to the fore the culture of proof checking generally performed in infrastructure projects in the country and describes the unique feature of IDC performed in this specific project. The author draws on his own experience as well as published information to illustrate the importance of establishing a culture of independent checking everywhere to add confidence and mitigate the risk of failures.