PM Modi inaugurates Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, Northeast’s first extradosed bridge across Brahmaputra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14 inaugurated the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, a six-lane extradosed bridge spanning the Brahmaputra and linking Guwahati with North Guwahati, marking a major leap in Assam’s urban connectivity infrastructure.

Constructed at an estimated cost of around ₹3,030 crore, the Prestressed Concrete (PSC) structure is the first extradosed bridge in Northeast India. The project is designed to significantly ease congestion and enhance mobility between the two banks of the river, reducing travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati to approximately seven minutes.

Given the region’s high seismic vulnerability, the bridge has been engineered with advanced base isolation technology incorporating friction pendulum bearings to enhance resilience against earthquakes. High-performance stay cables have been deployed to ensure long-term durability and structural integrity.

In a move toward smart infrastructure management, the bridge is equipped with a Bridge Health Monitoring System (BHMS), enabling real-time condition assessment, early detection of structural stress or damage, and improved operational safety over its service life.

The inauguration of Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu is expected to accelerate economic activity, improve regional connectivity and strengthen Guwahati’s role as a gateway city to the Northeast.