Construction work for the much-anticipated second Saraighat rail-cum-road bridge across the Brahmaputra River near Guwahati is set to commence soon, with the tender opening scheduled for August 2025. The project, which holds strategic and infrastructural significance for the Northeast region, is budgeted at ₹1,473.77 crore. According to a report, this vital connectivity project is designed to ease traffic congestion and strengthen multi-modal transportation networks across Assam.
The proposed bridge will span approximately 1.3 km and will feature a steel composite girder structure, a modern engineering solution known for its high strength-to-weight ratio and suitability for both railway and roadway traffic. This design choice not only enhances load-bearing capacity but also improves long-term durability and reduces maintenance needs.
The new bridge will run parallel to the existing Saraighat Bridge-currently the only rail-cum-road bridge in the area-which has been operational since 1962. With increasing vehicular and railway traffic over the years, the need for an additional bridge has become urgent. Once completed, the new infrastructure will significantly reduce travel time, improve logistics efficiency, and enhance the overall connectivity between the northeastern states and the rest of India.
Construction is expected to be completed by December 2029, marking a four-year execution window following the awarding of contracts. The Ministry of Railways is leading the project implementation, with coordination from infrastructure and steel suppliers expected as the project advances.
The steel-intensive design will open up significant opportunities for domestic steel manufacturers and fabricators, especially under the government’s push for indigenously sourced materials in public infrastructure projects.
