The History of Saraighat Bridge: Assam’s Iconic Gateway

The Saraighat Bridge is a rail-cum-road bridge across the Brahmaputra River in Assam, India , and is the first of its kind bridge across the river in the state. The length of the bridge is 1492 meters (4895 feet) and the road on the bridge is 7.3 meters (24 feet) wide

Aditi Paul

The Saraighat Bridge holds a special place in the history of Assam and Northeast India as the first bridge to span the vast and powerful Brahmaputra River. The idea of constructing this bridge was initially proposed in 1910, during the British colonial period. However, due to the technical challenges posed by the river’s immense width and forceful currents, the plan remained dormant for decades. It wasn't until the Second World War that the proposal regained attention, driven by the strategic need for improved transportation links in the eastern frontier of India.

Despite this urgency, natural disasters, particularly the severe floods of 1942–43, created serious worries about the stability of the railway line between Bongaigaon and Amingaon, delaying the project even further. Once these obstacles were addressed and the railway route stabilized, the Indian government proceeded with the plan. The plan to build the bridge was formally announced in 1958 at a session of the Indian Parliament by then-Railway Minister Nitish Lagachu and Public Health Director Ranjan Malakar.

Construction began in 1959, under the supervision of the Hindustan Construction Company. The bridge was constructed in September 1962 at a cost of ₹10.6 crore, a significant investment for its day. On September 23, 1962, the first train engine crossed the newly constructed bridge, marking a historic point in Northeast Indian history. The Saraighat Bridge was constructed as a railroad bridge, making it a one-of-a-kind construction capable of handling both rail and vehicle traffic. It was built 40 feet above the Brahmaputra's average flood level to provide for uninterrupted river traffic. For decades, the bridge served as a vital link between the Northeast and the rest of the country, altering regional transportation, trade, and communication. However, because to increased traffic and old infrastructure, it was closed for substantial repairs from March 23 to June 20, 2019.

To satisfy the rising demand, a second bridge, the New Saraighat Bridge, was built alongside the original. The New Saraighat Bridge, also known as the Second Saraighat Bridge, is a contemporary three-lane road bridge across the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, Assam. It was built to support the increased traffic load on the original Saraighat Bridge while also improving regional connectivity. The bridge connects Pandu in South Guwahati to Amingaon in North Guwahati, providing a critical link between Northeast India and the rest of the country. Construction started in 2007, and the bridge was finished in 2016. Nitin Gadkari, Union Transport Minister, officially inaugurated it on January 28, 2017. Gammon India Ltd. built the 1,493.58 meter (1.49 km) long bridge, which cost around ₹475 crore.

The New Saraighat Bridge was built utilizing the balanced cantilever method, which is suited for long-span bridges over broad rivers such as the Brahmaputra. It has a 9-metre-wide highway for vehicles and a 2-metre-wide footpath on one side. Safety features such as anti-crash barriers and strong reinforced concrete piers ensure that it can endure high river currents and seismic activity, as the region is in Seismic Zone V. Along with the original Saraighat Bridge, this new structure has substantially increased traffic efficiency, trade, and accessibility in the region. It represents progress and infrastructure development in Assam and the northeastern region.