Second Saraighat Bridge in Assam: New Rail-cum-Road Bridge Across the Brahmaputra

The Ministry of Railways will soon begin building the Second Saraighat Rail-cum-Road Bridge in Guwahati, Assam. Piling work is expected to start in October 2026, after the monsoon. The project comes under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone.

Second Saraighat Bridge in Assam: Project Specification

The new bridge will come up near the existing Saraighat Bridge over the Brahmaputra. Its estimated cost is ₹1,473.77 crore, and it is expected to be ready by December 2029. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) will execute the work. Geotechnical investigations are done, and design work is in progress.

Railway Doubling Project Between Agthori and Kamakhya Stations

Along with the bridge, the railway line between Agthori and Kamakhya will be doubled over 7.20 km. It was sanctioned in 2024, after which planning and tendering began. The site is in a busy city area, so the project faced issues like land acquisition, removal of encroachments, and shifting of utilities. NFR says a large part of these has been solved with the state government's help.

1.3-km-Long Double-Decker Rail-Cum-Road Bridge Over the River Brahmaputra

The bridge will have two decks:

• Lower deck: two railway lines
• Upper deck: three-lane road with a footpath

The existing bridge has one railway line and a two-lane road, so capacity will increase. The main bridge will rest on well foundations, with a welded Open Web Girder superstructure of 125-metre span. Approach viaducts of about 600 metres (Agthori side) and 200 metres (Kamakhya side) will connect to it. The road will also link with NHAI approach roads.

What is the modern construction of the second Saraighat Bridge

NFR is planning the bridge with modern technology, digital engineering, and a focus on quality and safety in focus. Digital monitoring and bridge instrumentation systems will track the structure's performance. Construction methods are being adapted to the tough conditions of the Brahmaputra, especially for foundations and long-term durability.

How Is the Second Saraighat Bridge Significant for Assam?

The bridge will add capacity to a key corridor linking both banks of the Brahmaputra. More railway lines mean smoother movement of passengers and goods, while the three-lane road will connect the city's northern and southern banks. Rail, road, and approach roads will work as one integrated corridor, improving multimodal connectivity in the Northeast. The Railway Board is monitoring the project.