Preparations are underway in Guwahati for the inauguration of the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, a six-lane bridge connecting Guwahati and North Guwahati, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14. The bridge is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two banks of the Brahmaputra to approximately seven minutes.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate and flag off multiple projects in Guwahati worth over ₹5,450 crore during his visit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the six-lane Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu connecting Guwahati and North Guwahati on February 14. The extradosed bridge will reduce travel time to seven minutes. He will also launch projects worth over ₹5,450 crore in the city.
A Landmark Bridge for Guwahati
The Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu is described as the first extradosed bridge of its kind in Northeast India.
Key features include:
- Six-lane carriageway
- Seismic base isolation technology
- High-performance stay cables
- Bridge Health Monitoring System for real-time safety monitoring
The new bridge is expected to ease congestion on existing routes connecting Guwahati with North Guwahati and the surrounding districts.
For daily commuters, the reduced travel time could significantly improve connectivity for work, education and trade.
PM’s Itinerary in Assam
The Prime Minister is scheduled to land at the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh at 10:30 AM.
He will witness an aerial display involving fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters. The ELF, the first in Northeast India, can support fighter aircraft up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes.
The facility is expected to strengthen emergency response capabilities during natural disasters.
Projects to Be Flagged Off in Guwahati
At around 1 PM, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the bridge.
At 1:30 PM at Lachit Ghat in Guwahati, he will flag off projects worth more than ₹5,450 crore, including:
- National Data Centre for the North Eastern Region at Amingaon
- IIM Guwahati
- 100 electric buses under the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme
These projects aim to strengthen digital infrastructure, higher education and urban mobility in the city.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
The bridge is expected to transform daily movement between Guwahati and North Guwahati, particularly benefiting:
- Office commuters
- Industrial transport
- Students and healthcare access
- Residents of North Guwahati
The addition of electric buses and a regional data centre also positions Guwahati as a growing urban and digital hub in Northeast India.
What Happens Next?
The bridge will be formally inaugurated on February 14, after which operational details regarding public access are expected from authorities.
Traffic management plans and route updates may be announced closer to the opening.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu reduce travel time?
The new bridge is expected to reduce travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati to approximately seven minutes.
What other projects will be launched in Guwahati?
Projects worth over ₹5,450 crore will be flagged off, including the National Data Centre at Amingaon, IIM Guwahati and 100 electric buses.