Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday inaugurated the Maharaja Prithu Flyover in Guwahati, the longest flyover in the state.
The 5.5-kilometre elevated corridor connects Dighalipukhuri in central Guwahati to New Guwahati, passing through key areas such as Ambari, Chandmari and Bamunimaidam.
Constructed at an estimated cost of around ₹850 crore, the major infrastructure project is expected to significantly ease vehicular congestion across some of the city’s busiest intersections. The flyover has also been integrated with the existing Chandmari Flyover, creating a seamless elevated corridor that will enable smoother traffic movement across eastern and central Guwahati.
Officials said the project aims to reduce pressure on major traffic choke points, including the Guwahati Club Roundabout and Chandmari Junction. By providing an uninterrupted elevated route, the flyover is expected to cut travel time for thousands of daily commuters navigating the city’s busy roads.
The project was initiated towards the end of 2023 and completed in around 18 months. The structure stands on 122 pillars, while the space beneath the flyover has been planned for organised parking facilities to discourage roadside parking and improve overall traffic management.
The flyover has been named after Maharaja Prithu, the legendary ruler of ancient Kamarupa who is remembered for defeating the invading forces of Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1206 CE. Historical accounts suggest that Maharaja Prithu led a coalition of local tribes, including the Bodo and Koch Rajbongshi communities, to defeat the retreating army. The victory is recorded in the historic Kanai Barasi Bowa inscription.
With the inauguration of the Maharaja Prithu Flyover, the Assam government has added another major urban mobility project to Guwahati’s expanding infrastructure network, aimed at easing long-standing traffic bottlenecks in the state’s largest city.