Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday, 22 May inaugurated a ₹376 crore flyover in Guwahati named after Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, honouring him as a 'true well-wisher of Assam' whose political interventions during the pre-Independence era helped safeguard the state's future. The ceremony drew attention to Mookerjee's largely underacknowledged role in Assam's political and educational history.

CM Sarma's Tribute at the Inauguration

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sarma said, 'Syama Prasad Mookerjee's political life was marked by ideals, patriotism, moral courage and unwavering commitment to national interest. At the most critical phase of Assam's political journey, he stood firmly with the Assamese people and provided moral courage to Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi.'

Sarma described Mookerjee as a leader who recognised Assam's distinct cultural and intellectual identity, adding that his contributions during a critical phase of the state's political history would always be remembered with gratitude.

Mookerjee's Stand Against the Grouping Plan

The Chief Minister recalled that during the politically volatile years of 1940–41, Assam witnessed growing anxiety following the Pakistan Resolution adopted by the Assam Provincial Muslim League. According to Sarma, Mookerjee visited Assam during that sensitive period and urged the people not to lose hope.

Mookerjee's speeches and political interventions reportedly strengthened public confidence and inspired Assamese leaders to continue their resistance against the grouping plan during the Partition era — a plan that had created serious uncertainty over the Northeastern state's future within a post-Independence India.

Contributions to Assamese Education and Culture

Sarma also highlighted Mookerjee's role in the educational sphere, noting that both Ashutosh Mukherjee and Syama Prasad Mookerjee made significant contributions towards promoting Assamese language and higher education. Ashutosh Mukherjee had encouraged the study of Assamese literature under the University of Calcutta and supported scholars from Assam at a time when efforts were underway to preserve and institutionalise Assamese literary heritage.

Under Mookerjee's initiative, Assamese medium education up to the matriculation level received major encouragement, and institutions such as J.B. College secured recognition under the University of Calcutta. Sarma quoted Mookerjee as having envisioned Assam as a future centre for advanced academic research in disciplines including language, anthropology, geology, botany, and forestry, and as having supported the demand for a separate university for Assam.

About the Newly Inaugurated Flyover

The flyover, stretching from the Cycle Factory junction on the Guwahati-Garbhanga Road to Lalganesh, was completed in 26 months — ahead of the stipulated timeline of 30 months — at a cost of ₹376 crore. The infrastructure project is expected to significantly improve connectivity in Guwahati's south-western corridor and ease vehicular movement along the busy highway connecting Arya Nagar to the Lakhra section of National Highway-27.

The naming of the flyover after Mookerjee signals the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Assam government's continued effort to foreground nationalist icons from the pre-Independence era in the state's public memory.