Vehicular movement on the old Saraighat Bridge in Guwahati will remain completely suspended for eight hours from Thursday night, May 21, due to emergency repair work by Northeast Frontier Railway.
The temporary closure will be in force from 10:00 PM on May 21 to 6:00 AM on May 22 to allow urgent repair work on the road deck near the Jalukbari end of the bridge.
The old Saraighat Bridge in Guwahati will remain closed to all vehicles for eight hours from 10 PM on May 21 to 6 AM on May 22. Northeast Frontier Railway will carry out emergency repair work on the road deck near Jalukbari, requiring a complete traffic block for safety.
According to reports based on an official communication from the maintenance authority of N.F. Railway, the traffic block has been sought because the repair work will require the use of heavy machinery. Railway authorities said the work cannot be safely carried out while allowing partial vehicular movement on the bridge.
The repair is being undertaken on Bridge No. O, commonly known as the Saraighat Bridge. The affected portion is near the Jalukbari end, one of Guwahati’s busiest entry and exit points for vehicles travelling between the city and the north bank of the Brahmaputra.
Officials said the road deck damage reportedly became more urgent after the onset of the monsoon. The complete closure has been planned to protect maintenance workers, ensure commuter safety and preserve the structural integrity of the bridge during the repair process.
The timing of the work has been fixed during late-night and early-morning hours to minimise disruption to regular traffic. However, commuters travelling between Guwahati and North Guwahati may still face inconvenience if they have late-night travel plans, emergency movement, early morning schedules or long-distance road connections through Jalukbari.
Traffic police and local authorities have been requested to manage diversions and regulate vehicle movement during the closure period. Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys in advance and use alternative routes wherever possible.
The old Saraighat Bridge is one of Guwahati’s most important river-crossing links over the Brahmaputra. It connects the southern side of the city with North Guwahati and plays a key role in daily movement between Jalukbari, Amingaon, North Guwahati and other parts of Kamrup.
Because of its strategic location, any closure on the Saraighat Bridge can affect traffic movement around Jalukbari, Maligaon, Adabari, Amingaon and connecting highways. The repair work is therefore expected to require careful traffic handling, especially for vehicles approaching the bridge close to the closure window.
The maintenance team has said the bridge will be reopened after the repair work is completed. As per the official schedule, normal traffic movement is expected to resume from 6:00 AM on May 22, subject to completion of the emergency work.
For Guwahati residents, the closure is important because the Saraighat Bridge remains a critical part of the city’s road network. The immediate public priority will be safe repair completion, timely reopening, and clear traffic coordination through Jalukbari and adjoining routes.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bridge | Old Saraighat Bridge, Guwahati |
| Closure starts | 10:00 PM, May 21 |
| Closure ends | 6:00 AM, May 22 |
| Duration | 8 hours |
| Reason | Emergency repair work |
| Repair location | Road deck near Jalukbari end |
| Authority | Northeast Frontier Railway |
| Traffic status | Complete suspension of vehicular movement |
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the old Saraighat Bridge remain closed?
The old Saraighat Bridge will remain closed from 10:00 PM on May 21 to 6:00 AM on May 22 for emergency repair work.
Why is the Saraighat Bridge being closed?
The bridge is being closed because Northeast Frontier Railway will carry out urgent repair work on the road deck near the Jalukbari end. The work requires heavy machinery and cannot be done safely with traffic movement.
Which areas may be affected by the closure?
Traffic movement around Jalukbari, North Guwahati, Amingaon, Maligaon and nearby connecting routes may be affected during the eight-hour closure.
When will traffic resume on the bridge?
Traffic is expected to resume from 6:00 AM on May 22, subject to completion of the emergency repair work.