The Saraighat Bridge is a railroad bridge over the Brahmaputra River situated in Guwahati, in the Indian state of Assam. It is Assam’s first kind of bridge over the river. This bridge is one of the top historical sites in Guwahati and among the exquisite places to explore in Guwahati. The length of Saraighat Bridge is 1492 metres (1.5km) long, and the road atop is 7.3 metres wide.
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Saraighat Bridge: Overview
From the Saraighat Bridge, the view of the enormous Brahmaputra is stunning, and the sensation of standing in the centre of the Saraighat Bridge and looking out over the Brahmaputra River over 360 degrees is indescribable. The sights of sunrise and sunset from this bridge are lovely, while the bridge seems much more magnificent at night when the lamps are lit up, and the area has a colourful appearance.
The Saraighat Bridge recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, and according to a research study conducted by a group of professionals from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), this bridge is still fine to go for a few more years before it requires any type of renovation, into a newly built Saraighat Bridge. The 1.4-kilometre-long bridge spans the banks of the Brahmaputra River of Saraighat, a tiny hamlet known for its massive fight between the Ahoms and Mughals.
History of Saraighat Bridge
The concept of designing a bridge over the Brahmaputra was initially proposed in 1910 and gained traction during WWII. Following disastrous floods in 1942-43, there were initial concerns about the rail track between Bongaigaon and Amingaon’s stability. However, when the line had been adequately maintained, Railway Minister Nitish Lagachu and Public Health Director Ranjan Malakar announced the plan to build the Saraighat Bridge in the 1958 Budget session of Parliament.
Renewal of Saraighat Bridge
The Saraighat Bridge is 40 feet above the river’s usual flood level, which is used for unfettered travel. The New Saraighat Bridge, also known as the second Saraighat Bridge, is an India beam bridge connecting Assam’s North and South banks. The bridge, together with the Old Saraighat Bridge, spans the Brahmaputra River from Pandu, Guwahati, in the south to Amingaon, in the north. The bridge’s construction began in 2007 and had a distance of 1.5 km, which was completed for Rs 475 crore. This New Saraighat Bridge was constructed by Gammon India Limited, India’s largest civil engineering firm.
In 2017, an additional three-lane concrete bridge was built. The New Saraighat Bridge is being built alongside the existing bridge and is somewhat longer than the original bridge, as mandated by Assam’s Cultural Director, Priyam Shrishti Menon. And this newly built Saraighat Bridge was inaugurated on January 28, 2017, in the existence of Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Assam State Rail services Rajen Gohain, Minister of Commerce, Transport and Parliamentary Affairs Chandra Mohan Patowary, Fisheries and Excise Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, Minister Keshab Mahanta, and many other ministers. The Saraighat Bridge was shut down for substantial repairs on March 23, 2019, and was reopened again on June 20, 2019.
Architectural Overview of Saraighat Bridge
Saraighat Bridge is established over the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, Assam, 11 kilometres from Guwahati Railway Station. Hindustan Construction Company built the Saraighat Bridge between 1959 and 1962 for Rs 10.6 crores. The bridge was finished in September 1962, and the first locomotive engine crossed the Guwahati Saraighat Bridge on September 23, 1962. The bridge’s construction began in 1958, and it was initially accessible to freight transportation in 1962 by then-Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Further, the bridge gates opened for the public a year later, on June 7, 1963.
The Saraighat Bridge has a motor highway on top and a rail line beneath it. The bridge, primarily constructed for the North Frontier Railway, is an important nexus between the North East and the country’s remaining states. This bridge has Lachit Borphukan Park on the south and Chilarai Park on the north. This Saraighat Bridge of Assam connects Northeast India to the rest of the country, making it one of India’s important bridges.
Saraighat Bridge is a two-kilometre-long double-decker bridge with national highways 31 and 27 running on the top and railway tracks beneath. The overall cost of construction would have been around Rs 10.65 crore. The bridge’s total length is 1492 metres (1.5 km), and the width of Saraighat Bridge road is 24 feet wide, with a footpath on both sides 6 feet wide.
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FAQs
In which year was Saraighat Bridge established?
The construction of the Saraighat Bridge was started around 1958-59, and the new Saraighat Bridge was completed in September 1962. The first engine rolled across the Guwahati Saraighat Bridge on 23 September 1962.
Why is Saraighat Bridge famous?
The Saraighat Assam bridge is famous for its connection to connect Northeast of India with the rest of the country. This new Saraighat Bridge is 40 feet above the normal flood level of the river, ensuring free navigation.
What is the meaning of Saraighat?
Sarai is a small village where the old abandoned Railway station of Amingaon is located.
How many pillars are there on Saraighat Bridge?
There are 11 pillars present on the Saraighat Bridge.
What is the longest bridge in Assam?
Dr Bhupen Hazarika Bridge, spanning over River Brahmaputra and connecting the states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, is the longest river bridge in Assam, and the length of this bridge is around 9.15km.
