Maharaja Prithu Flyover, Guwahati’s longest 5.5 km elevated corridor, opens in Assam

Assam: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Maharaja Prithu Flyover, the state’s longest flyover, in Guwahati on Tuesday, March 10. The 5.5-kilometer elevated corridor connects Dighalipukhuri in Central Guwahati to New Guwahati, passing through key areas like Ambari, Chandmari, and Bamunimaidam.

This major infrastructure project, built at an estimated cost of approximately ₹850 crore, is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion at some of the city’s busiest intersections. The new flyover is also connected to the existing Chandmari Flyover, creating a seamless elevated corridor that will ease traffic flow in East and Central Guwahati.

Officials said the project is designed to ease pressure on major traffic congestion points, including the Guwahati Club Roundabout and Chandmari Junction. By providing a seamless elevated route, the flyover is expected to reduce travel time for thousands of people who commute daily on the city’s heavily trafficked roads.

The project began in late 2023 and was completed in approximately 18 months. The elevated structure rests on 122 pillars, while the space beneath the flyover is planned for organized parking facilities, a move aimed at reducing roadside parking and improving overall traffic management.

The flyover is named after Maharaja Prithu, a legendary ruler of ancient Kamarupa, remembered for defeating the invading army of Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1206 CE. Historical accounts suggest that Maharaja Prithu led a coalition of local tribes, including the Bodo and Koch Rajbongshi communities, to repulse the retreating army. This victory is commemorated in the historic Kanai Barsi Bowa inscription, which marks it as a pivotal moment in the region’s history.

With the inauguration of the Maharaja Prithu Flyover, the Assam government has added another major urban mobility project to Guwahati’s rapidly expanding infrastructure network. This will further strengthen the city’s role as the gateway to the Northeast and alleviate long-standing traffic congestion in the state’s largest metropolis.