Guwahati, Mar 10 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday inaugurated a 4.2-km-long flyover in the state capital constructed at a cost of over Rs 852 crore.
The four-lane ‘Maharaj Prithu Flyover’ on GNB Road, stretching from Dighali Pukhuri to Noonmati, was built in 28 months.
“This flyover was built in record time, and I wholeheartedly thank all the people involved in the process. After this, Guwahati may not require any more flyovers once the ones under construction are completed,” Sarma said.
He hoped that the flyover would significantly reduce traffic congestion and cut travel time, while enhancing connectivity.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister’s Office described it as the “longest flyover in the Northeast”.
The initial length of the flyover was 5.05 km, but it was shortened following a series of protests against cutting century-old trees on the banks of the historical Dighali Pukhuri tank.
Residents had staged protests in October-November 2024 after the BJP-led government planned to cut around 25 trees, some estimated to be about 200 years old, along the banks of the iconic pond for the project.
The agitation stopped after the Gauhati High Court took cognisance of a PIL, and subsequently the government assured that no trees would be cut, and the flyover’s length would be shortened to avoid the historical area.
Residents had also protested last year against the cutting of several trees on the pretext of translocating some of them for construction work.
At the flyover’s inaugural function, Sarma claimed that several trees were translocated and many of them have survived till now.
“A red letter day in Assam’s infrastructure journey!… Another powerful testament to Govt of Assam’s commitment towards realizing a #ViksitAssam,” the CMO said. PTI TR TR MNB
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