Guwahati on Tuesday unveiled Assam’s longest flyover as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the 4.5-km Maharaja Prithu Flyover, built at a cost of over Rs 800 crore. Officials said 4.2 km of the structure has been opened to the public while two connecting arms remain unfinished.
Sarma told the gathering that the remaining work includes an arm over the Rajgarh railway line and another link between the Guwahati Club rotary, Kamrup Academy and Uzan Bazar. “This project is a major step toward improving urban connectivity in Guwahati,” he said.
Before vehicles are allowed, the Chief Minister announced that parts of the flyover will be kept open as a temporary walking zone for three days so residents can experience the new structure on foot. He asked the Guwahati Police and district administration to keep the stretch open for pedestrians, and said vehicular movement will begin from March 14. According to the plan, the sections from Chandmari to Noonmati and from Chandmari to the Guwahati Club rotary will be accessible to walkers during this period; the existing Chandmari flyover will continue to carry traffic.
Explaining the name, Sarma said the flyover honors Maharaja Prithu, whom he described as “not just a ruler but a symbol of resistance and courage,” calling the naming a tribute to Assam’s historical heritage. He invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi” — development alongside heritage — saying modern infrastructure must also respect historical figures who shaped local identity.
Responding to criticism from environmental activists about tree felling, Sarma said 68 of the 70 trees uprooted during construction have been successfully transplanted and are being cared for at the Textile Institute campus, inviting critics to inspect the site.
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister outlined plans to expand Guwahati’s flyover network by creating additional rotaries and linking multiple flyovers to form a seamless traffic corridor. He said the government aims to connect the Ulubari flyover with the Guwahati Club flyover via a Stadium flyover, though the proposal has not yet received formal approval. He also listed other projects: the Cycle Factory flyover is expected before Bihu, the Mission Chariali flyover in Tezpur is likely due by July, two flyovers are complete in Dibrugarh with three under construction, and the Maniram Dewan–Piyoli Baruah flyover is scheduled for inauguration on March 11.
Concluding his address, Sarma said the next major focus will be tackling urban flooding in Guwahati and, after completion of the ring road project, moving toward implementing a metro system in the city.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/guwahati/rs-800-cr-maharaja-prithu-flyover-opens-in-guwahati-more-flyovers-on-cards-1609282
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Publish Date: 2026-03-10 21:16:00
