The historic city of Guwahati is on the verge of a transportation revolution as the new bridge connecting Guwahati with North Guwahati across the mighty Brahmaputra River nears completion. This engineering marvel promises to dramatically slash travel time between the two banks to just one-sixth of the current duration.
A Game-Changer for Daily Commuters
According to sources within the Public Works Department (PWD), over 95% of work on the six-lane extradosed bridge has been finished, with the remaining 5% targeted for completion by the end of January. The bridge, which employs an innovative extradosed design that combines features of both girder and cable-stayed bridges, is expected to become operational by January-February next year.
The state government has decided to honor the 7th-century Kamarupa King by naming this vital infrastructure the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Bridge. This naming pays tribute to the region's rich historical legacy while looking toward its modern development needs.
Transforming Lives and Commerce
The impact of this new bridge on daily life cannot be overstated. Currently, the journey from North Guwahati to Fancy Bazar, one of Assam's largest commercial hubs, takes approximately 90 grueling minutes. Once the new bridge opens, this same distance will be covered in a mere 10-15 minutes.
This dramatic reduction in travel time will profoundly benefit various segments of the population. Students pursuing education in Guwahati, business professionals, and government employees posted in the city will experience life-changing convenience. Many who currently maintain rental accommodations in the city or endure exhausting daily commutes will now have viable alternatives.
The bridge is also expected to significantly boost commercial activities between the northern and southern banks of the Brahmaputra. Traders will gain direct access to Fancy Bazar's commercial ecosystem, potentially transforming economic dynamics across the region.
Strategic Traffic Management
While the new bridge promises enhanced connectivity, authorities have implemented strategic measures to prevent urban congestion. According to official sources, heavy commercial vehicles like trucks will be discouraged from using the new bridge and instead directed to continue using the existing Saraighat Bridge.
This traffic management strategy aligns with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's announcement last November that toll fees would apply exclusively to lorries and night super buses using the new bridge. The exemption for city buses and private vehicle owners ensures that daily commuters won't face additional financial burdens while preventing unnecessary traffic congestion and potential road accidents within the city.
The construction of this transformative infrastructure project has been handled by SP Singla Constructions Private Limited, the same company that built the Sultanganj-Aguwani bridge in Bihar. Work on this ambitious six-lane project commenced in August 2019, marking nearly four years of dedicated effort to connect the two banks of the Brahmaputra in unprecedented fashion.
As the completion deadline approaches, residents and business communities on both sides of the river await with anticipation what promises to be one of the most significant infrastructure developments in recent Guwahati history.
