Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (May 26) inaugurated the country's longest bridge - the strategic Dhola-Sadiya Sethu connecting the north-eastern state of Assam to Arunachal Pradesh on China border.

Named after Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika, who hailed from Sadia, this bridge will reduce the travel time between the two states from six hours to just one hour, reported PTI.

The ₹20.56 billion ($317 million) bridge is 3.55 km longer than the Bandra-Worli Sea link, stated the report.

Dedicating the 9.15 km-long Bhupen Hazarika Sethu to the nation, Modi said: "It will serve as a foundation for a new economic revolution and help India in its efforts to become a superpower."

"The bridge will not only save money, reduce travel time but it comes as a foundation for the beginning of a new economic revolution. That's why the whole nation has its eyes on this bridge", Modi said here on third anniversary of his government.

"The shortening of distance by 165 km, reducing travel time by 7-8 hours will open new doors to economic development," he noted.

This bridge, said Modi, will bring development to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

"For fulfilling India's dream of becoming a top economically developed nation, a superpower, then the North Eastern region is the place to begin with," he noted.

"If development is to be made permanent, then infrastructure is the first requirement. It is on the two
tracks of physical infrastructure and social infrastructure that complete development is achieved," he added.