The ambitious Kumar Bhaskar Varman Setu, connecting Guwahati and North Guwahati, is set to miss its initial November 2025 deadline, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed during a site visit on Wednesday.
Reviewing the progress at Gauripur in North Guwahati, the Chief Minister announced that the project will now be rolled out in phases, citing changes in design and an expansion of scope as key reasons for the delay.
“The first phase, which includes the main bridge and the approach road via IIT Guwahati and Gauripur, will be ready for use by January 15, 2026,” Sarma said.
He added that only small and medium vehicles will be allowed to use the bridge during the initial phase. Larger vehicles will need to wait until all connecting infrastructure is completed.
The second phase, he explained, will involve the completion of trumpet interchanges on the connecting National Highway. These vital structures are necessary to manage heavy traffic flow and provide seamless connectivity, but they won’t be ready before May or June 2026.
Interestingly, the trumpet interchange was not part of the original project blueprint. It was added in May 2023 after revised planning decisions were taken to enhance overall road efficiency.
Although the timeline has shifted, the Chief Minister remained upbeat about the pace of work. He expressed hope that the first phase could be completed earlier than January, hinting that pedestrians might even walk across the structure by November. “The work is moving fast. If everything goes smoothly, we could even take a stroll across the bridge by the end of this year,” he remarked with a smile.
The total project cost has also increased, a Public Works Department (PWD) official confirmed. Initially sanctioned at Rs 2,608 crore, the revised budget now stands at Rs 3,030 crore, following a cost escalation in February 2025.
“When a project stretches over years, additional costs are inevitable—even if the majority of the work is done,” the PWD official explained.
The six-lane bridge is being built to reduce traffic congestion in Guwahati and offer a reliable route to the northern bank of the Brahmaputra. The new structure is expected to significantly improve connectivity and reduce travel time between key academic, residential, and commercial zones on both sides of the river.
Earlier announcements had hinted at an inauguration during Durga Puja 2025, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi possibly attending the opening ceremony. However, with the delay now confirmed, it remains to be seen whether that event will proceed as originally envisioned.
Once complete, the Kumar Bhaskar Varman Setu is expected to stand as one of the most significant infrastructural landmarks in Assam, boosting economic activity and symbolizing a major step forward in the state’s development journey.
