PM Modi Inaugurates New Brahmaputra Bridge in Guwahati
PM Modi inaugurates Brahmaputra bridge in Guwahati and Assam's first ELF airstrip.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the 2.86-kilometre-long Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, a six-lane extradosed bridge over the Brahmaputra River, connecting Guwahati with North Guwahati. Built at a cost of approximately Rs 3,030 crore, it is the first extradosed bridge in Northeast India, designed to withstand the region’s high seismic activity.
The bridge incorporates advanced base isolation technology with friction pendulum bearings, high-performance stay cables, and a Bridge Health Monitoring System (BHMS) for real-time structural monitoring. Travel time across the river is expected to drop to just seven minutes, significantly improving regional connectivity and trade.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi also inaugurated a 4.2-kilometre-long Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the National Highway in Moran, Dibrugarh district, marking the first highway-based airstrip in the Northeast. The facility allows the Indian Air Force to operate in emergency scenarios or when conventional airbases are unavailable.
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The inauguration featured a spectacular air show by the IAF, including Rafale, Sukhoi, and MIG fighter aircraft taking off and landing on the highway strip. Officials highlighted the strategic importance of the ELF in enhancing rapid military response in a sensitive border region.
With over 1 lakh people attending, the dual inauguration underscores India’s push for modern infrastructure in the Northeast. Officials noted that the ELF will also serve civilian aircraft in emergencies, offering operational flexibility and strengthening the region’s defense readiness.
PM Modi described both projects as “milestones in Assam’s development,” emphasizing their role in boosting economic growth, connectivity, and strategic infrastructure in the Northeast, aligning with broader national priorities for defense and regional integration.
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