Guwahati, July 20: Construction is set to begin soon on the second rail-cum-road bridge over the Brahmaputra at Saraighat, a key infrastructure project under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). The bridge is part of the Agthori–Kamakhya railway line doubling project, sanctioned in the 2023–24 fiscal with an approved budget of ₹1,473.77 crore. Completion is targeted for December 2029.
Spanning a total length of 7.062 km from Agthori to Kamakhya, the project includes a 1.3 km-long steel composite girder bridge across the river. The double-decked structure will feature a double-line railway track on the lower level and a three-lane roadway with footpaths on the upper level. The bridge will link Agthori station on the north (2.694 km approach) to Kamakhya station on the south (3.07 km approach).
Progress on the project has been steady. The Railway Board sanctioned detailed estimates in February 2024. The design, drawing, and technical report were finalised and approved in March 2025. Geotechnical investigations for the substructure and superstructure are complete, and an EPC tender has been floated for construction, covering the bridge, approach roads, rail viaducts, and ancillary work. Tender finalisation is expected soon, after which construction will begin immediately.
Beyond boosting connectivity, the project will expand rail line capacity and support anticipated industrial growth in the region. It is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers in nearby communities.
