Maharaja Prithu Flyover Opens in Guwahati, Easing Traffic on Busy Stretch
Guwahati witnessed a significant infrastructure milestone as the newly inaugurated Maharaja Prithu flyover was opened for vehicular movement on Saturday. This development provides much-needed relief to commuters traveling across one of the city's busiest stretches—the Maniram Dewan Road.
Enhancing Connectivity Across the City
The 5.4-kilometer-long carriageway, hailed as one of the longest flyovers in Guwahati, connects the Noonmati area to Ambari. It effectively eases connectivity between the eastern and western parts of the city, addressing long-standing traffic congestion issues.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the flyover on Tuesday, and it was subsequently opened to the public. The structure has already drawn visitors eager to experience and admire the new infrastructure, with many gathering at the newly formed rotary during evening hours for leisure strolls.
Engineering Details and Future Plans
Bhaskar Mishra Bhagawati, an executive engineer at the Public Works Department (PWD) New Guwahati division, explained the flyover's operational timeline. "The flyover was reserved exclusively for pedestrians for a few days, but vehicle movement started on Saturday," he said. "This will also help reduce the travel time normally faced while plying on MRD Road."
Constructed at a cost of over Rs 800 crore, the flyover is still undergoing minor finishing works. These include:
- Construction of a parking space underneath the structure
- Painting of the pillars
According to PWD engineers, the work is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed around the Bihu celebrations in April. Once finished, the space beneath the flyover will serve as an organized parking area, which is anticipated to help address persistent roadside parking issues in the vicinity.
Commuters Express Relief and Appreciation
Local residents have already begun experiencing the benefits of the new infrastructure. Nabarun Nath, a resident of Chandrapur who works in the main city, shared his positive experience. "It was always difficult coming into the city as traffic jams were very common and often caused long delays," he said. "Driving during peak hours used to be particularly frustrating due to the heavy congestion on the roads. But the new flyover is truly a blessing. I reached Panbazar from Noonmati within 15 minutes."
Historical Significance of the Name
The flyover bears the name of Maharaja Prithu, the 13th-century Kamarupa ruler known for his historical achievement of defeating Turko-Afghan invader Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1206. This naming adds cultural and historical significance to the modern infrastructure project.
The flyover intersects with the existing Anandaram Barua flyover in Chandmari, creating an improved traffic network that promises to transform daily commuting experiences for thousands of Guwahati residents.
