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File image of Saraighat Bridge. (Photo: @RailNf/x)

Guwahati, June 21: A significant infrastructure development is underway in Assam, with plans for a new bridge spanning the Brahmaputra River. The contract for this ambitious road and rail project has been awarded to L&T Construction Ltd.

The estimated budget for the bridge is approximately Rs 1,400 crore, with a completion target set for 2029.

According to Kapinjal K. Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer of IRTS, while the overall project cost is Rs 1,400 crore, the bridge itself is budgeted at Rs 530 crore. Efforts are being made to ensure its completion by the designated year.

Railway officials have confirmed that all necessary security clearances have been obtained, and the tendering process was finalized in April 2026. Preliminary work has commenced, including design and geotechnical studies, with ground-level construction already in progress. Piling tests are currently being conducted.

The bridge will stretch approximately 2 kilometers and will feature a composite steel girder design, accommodating both road and rail traffic.

To facilitate the construction, eviction notices have been issued to individuals occupying railway land in Amingaon, where parts of the infrastructure are planned.

This new bridge is expected to significantly enhance road connectivity and strengthen Assam's railway network. It will allow for the conversion of the remaining single-line railway segment between Agiathuri and Kamakhya into a double-line corridor.

Sharma noted that the doubling of the Assam main railway network has already reached Kamakhya, with the section to Lumding completed. Ongoing work beyond Lumding aims to establish a fully operational double-line system.

Railway officials anticipate that this bridge will not only facilitate better transportation across the Brahmaputra but also enhance both freight and passenger movement in the region.