Just days after its inauguration, Assam’s longest flyover — the Maharaj Prithu Flyover — is already facing traffic congestion, raising concerns among commuters in Guwahati.
The flyover, opened on March 10, was designed to ease traffic along one of the city’s busiest corridors. However, soon after vehicular movement began, bottlenecks emerged near the Chandmari roundabout, undermining expectations of smoother travel.
Traffic congestion has been reported near the Chandmari roundabout shortly after the Maharaj Prithu Flyover opened, raising questions about traffic management despite the new infrastructure.
What’s Happening on the Ground
Within 24 hours of vehicles using the flyover, long queues were reported near Chandmari.
Commuters observed:
- Traffic is slowing to a crawl
- Long queues are forming around the roundabout
- Delays stretching for extended periods
Even on March 15, despite the presence of additional traffic personnel, the situation saw little improvement.
The Core Issue: Bottleneck at Chandmari
While the flyover aims to reduce congestion across the corridor, the Chandmari roundabout has emerged as a critical choke point.
Without efficient traffic dispersal at this junction:
- Vehicles exiting the flyover accumulate quickly
- Existing road capacity gets overwhelmed
- Overall traffic flow remains disrupted
What Commuters Are Saying
Daily commuters have begun questioning the effectiveness of the project in its current form.
One commuter told GPlus:
“The intention behind building the flyover was clearly to reduce congestion, but the roundabout needs efficient traffic management. Without that, the flyover’s purpose may not be fully realised.”
Why This Matters for Guwahati
Guwahati’s traffic challenges are not just about infrastructure, but also junction-level management.
This situation highlights a recurring issue:
- Infrastructure upgrades without matching traffic planning
- Pressure points are shifting rather than being resolved
- Need for integrated urban traffic solutions
What Needs to Change
For the flyover to deliver its intended benefits, experts suggest:
- Better traffic signal coordination at Chandmari
- Improved lane discipline and enforcement
- Possible redesign or optimisation of the roundabout
Bigger Picture
The Maharaj Prithu Flyover is a major infrastructure milestone for Guwahati. However, early congestion signals that:
Solving traffic in the city requires both infrastructure and intelligent traffic management working together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why is there congestion despite the new flyover?
The congestion is mainly due to a bottleneck at the Chandmari roundabout, where traffic flow is not being managed efficiently.
Q. When was the flyover inaugurated?
The Maharaj Prithu Flyover was inaugurated on March 10, 2026.