Assam CM performs bhumi pujan for Palashbari-Sualkuchi bridge

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday performed the Bhumi Pujan ceremony for a monumental infrastructure project: a new 4-lane road bridge over the Brahmaputra River in Western Guwahati. The bridge, spanning 12.21 kilometers, will connect Palashbari in the south to Sualkuchi, the silk capital of Assam, in the north. 

Held at Bathan Pam in Sualkuchi, the event marked the formal commencement of construction for the bridge, which promises to enhance connectivity and foster development in the region. "Marking another milestone in our infrastructural journey, the 12.21 km long Palasbari-Sualkuchi Bridge will bridge the gap between the two important places and boost connectivity in the State," CM Sarma shared on Twitter.

The foundation stone for the bridge was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14, 2023. With an estimated cost of ₹3,197.20 crore, the project is backed by the New Development Bank (NDB), which sanctioned a $300 million loan in 2019.

The bridge features a 3.6 km cable-stayed section, complemented by approach viaducts and wetlands spanning 5.61 km on the Palashbari side and 3 km on the Sualkuchi side. This includes two 0.216 km approach viaducts and 0.864 km wetland viaducts.

Speaking at the ceremony, CM Sarma described the day as "historic" and highlighted the project’s potential. “The construction of this bridge is expected to be completed by 2028. It will significantly reduce travel distances to Guwahati University and Guwahati Airport for residents of Barpeta and Nalbari. Furthermore, it opens up the possibility of developing a new satellite township near Guwahati,” he stated.

The Chief Minister emphasized the project’s role in bridging Lower Assam with districts such as Goalpara and South Kamrup. He also detailed additional plans for new infrastructure projects across the Brahmaputra, including a tunnel between Numaligarh and Gohpur, an elevated corridor in Kaziranga, and new bridges connecting Morigaon to Darrang and Narengi to Kuruwa. “We aim to begin these projects by 2025 and are committed to their timely execution,” he added.