Built between 1959 and 1962 by Hindustan Construction Company at a cost of Rs 10.6 crore at the time, the bridge was completed in September 1962, witnessing its first train crossing on 23 September 1962.
Digital Desk: The old Saraighat bridge in Guwahati, which connects the north and south banks of the city, has been temporarily shut down for maintenance work. This closure resulted in significant traffic congestion in the area on Saturday.
According to reports, the rail-cum-road bridge will be inaccessible for the next two days due to ongoing maintenance required to repair extensive cracks that have appeared. The railway department has undertaken the repairs and has ordered a halt to traffic on the bridge. Consequently, daily commuters faced considerable inconvenience today, with long lines of vehicles observed at both ends of the bridge in Jalukbari and Amingaon.
The bridge was closed today from 11 am, with strict directives to complete the repairs within two days to reopen it promptly. In the meantime, all traffic has been redirected to the new Saraighat bridge adjacent to the old one for the duration of the repair work.
Historically, the idea of constructing a bridge over the Brahmaputra River was first proposed in 1910 and gained momentum during the Second World War. Concerns initially arose about the stability of the railway line between Bongaigaon and Amingaon following severe floods in 1942–43. However, once the railway line was stabilized, the decision to construct the bridge was officially announced by Railway Minister Nitish Lagachu and Public Health Director Ranjan Malakar during the Budget session of Parliament in 1958.
Built between 1959 and 1962 by Hindustan Construction Company at a cost of Rs 10.6 crore at the time, the bridge was completed in September 1962, witnessing its first train crossing on 23 September 1962. This bridge serves as a vital link connecting Northeast India with the rest of the country, standing 40 feet above the normal flood level of the river to ensure uninterrupted navigation.
Following a significant repair project, the bridge underwent maintenance from March 23, 2019, to June 20, 2019, when it was reopened for traffic.
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