PM Modi Inaugurates Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu Over Brahmaputra; Boosts Assam Connectivity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu. The bridge spans the Brahmaputra River and connects Guwahati with North Guwahati.

The 2.86-kilometre-long structure has been built at a cost of around Rs 3,030 crore. Designed as a six-lane extradosed Prestressed Concrete bridge, it is the first extradosed bridge in Northeast India.

The new link is expected to reduce travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati to just seven minutes.

Considering the region’s high seismic activity, the bridge incorporates base isolation technology using friction pendulum bearings.

High-performance stay cables have been installed to ensure long-term durability and structural performance.

A Bridge Health Monitoring System is in place. The system enables real-time condition assessment, early damage detection, and enhanced safety and service life.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated an Emergency Landing Facility on a National Highway stretch in Moran in Dibrugarh district. It marks the first such facility in the northeastern region.

He also witnessed an air show by the Indian Air Force featuring Rafale, Sukhoi and MiG fighter aircraft, which successfully took off and landed on the highway strip. Officials said at least one lakh people gathered to witness the event.

Located in Upper Assam, the 4.2-kilometre-long reinforced concrete stretch has been engineered to serve as an emergency runway capable of handling both military and civilian aircraft.

The facility is expected to enhance operational flexibility, particularly near sensitive border areas. It can function as an alternative landing option if Dibrugarh Airport or Chabua Air Force Station becomes unavailable due to operational constraints or emergencies.

Highway-based landing facilities offer improved mobility and operational surprise compared to fixed airbases, strengthening India’s military preparedness in the region.

Also Read: PM Modi Dedicates Northeast’s First Emergency Landing Facility In Assam’s Dibrugarh