PM Modi Inaugurates Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu Over Brahmaputra in Guwahati
First Extradosed Bridge in Northeast to Cut Travel Time to 7 Minutes; Emergency Landing Facility Also Launched in Dibrugarh
Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, a major bridge built over the Brahmaputra River, significantly enhancing connectivity between Guwahati and North Guwahati in Assam.
Stretching approximately 2.86 kilometers, the six-lane extradosed pre-stressed concrete (PSC) bridge has been constructed at a cost of around ₹3,030 crore. It is the first extradosed bridge in Northeast India. With its opening, travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati is expected to reduce to just seven minutes.
Advanced Engineering for Seismic Safety
Given the region’s seismic sensitivity, the bridge incorporates advanced base isolation technology using friction pendulum bearings. High-performance stay cables have been installed to ensure structural durability and long-term performance. Additionally, a Bridge Health Monitoring System (BHMS) has been deployed for real-time monitoring, early damage detection, and enhanced safety.
Emergency Landing Facility in Dibrugarh
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister also inaugurated an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on a national highway stretch at Moran in Dibrugarh district. This is the first such facility in the entire Northeast region.
Following the inauguration, the Indian Air Force conducted an impressive air show featuring Dassault Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and MiG-29 fighter jets, which successfully took off and landed on the highway strip.
Officials said nearly one lakh people gathered to witness the historic occasion. The 4.2-kilometer concrete stretch can function as an emergency runway for both military and civilian aircraft. It will serve as an alternative landing option if Dibrugarh Airport or Chabua Air Force Station becomes unavailable, strengthening rapid response capabilities in sensitive border areas of the Northeast.
The twin inaugurations are being seen as a major boost to infrastructure, connectivity, and strategic preparedness in the region.
