Second Saraighat Rail cum Road Bridge to Transform Multimodal Connectivity across Brahmaputra

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is undertaking the Second Saraighat Rail-cum-Road Bridge Project including doubling of the railway track between Agthori and Kamakhya stations, which is set to become a major addition to Assam’s transportation infrastructure.

Scope:
Doubling of the railway track between Agthori–Kamakhya and construction of a 1.3 km double-decker rail-cum-road bridge across the Brahmaputra.

Design:
- Lower deck: Two railway lines.
- Upper deck: Three-lane road + footpath.
- Main bridge: Open Web Girder spans of 125 m on well foundations.
- Approach viaducts: ~600 m (Agthori side) and ~200 m (Kamakhya side).

Integration:
Connects with NHAI road approaches towards Jalukbari and Agthori-side networks, enhancing multimodal connectivity.

Execution & Challenges
- Sanctioned in 2024; entrusted to Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
- Major hurdles: land acquisition, encroachments, utility shifting — largely addressed with state government support.
- Engineering progress: Geotechnical investigations, design, and construction drawings completed.
- Technology: Digital monitoring, bridge instrumentation, advanced construction methods tailored to Brahmaputra’s conditions.

Significance
- Existing Saraighat Bridge (1962) carries one rail line + two-lane road; the new bridge doubles rail capacity and expands road capacity. - Strengthens connectivity between north and south banks of Guwahati, supports growing passenger and freight traffic, and boosts Northeast’s transport infrastructure. - Marks a major step in multimodal integration — rail, road, and logistics.

Timeline
- Piling works scheduled to begin October 2026.
- Execution to gather pace across foundations, structures, viaducts, and earthwork during the current financial year.
- Completion targeted within the next few years, with emphasis on quality, safety, durability, and engineering excellence.

This project is poised to become one of Assam’s most transformative infrastructure upgrades, easing congestion and future-proofing connectivity across the Brahmaputra.