Guwahati, Feb 14 (NationPress) — On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, a remarkable bridge spanning the Brahmaputra River that links Guwahati with North Guwahati.

This impressive 2.86-kilometre-long structure was constructed at an approximate cost of Rs 3,030 crore. The bridge features a 6-lane extradosed Prestressed Concrete (PSC) design and proudly stands as the first of its kind in Northeast India.

The new bridge is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati to just 7 minutes. With the region's susceptibility to seismic events in mind, the bridge integrates advanced base isolation technology utilizing friction pendulum bearings.

To guarantee long-lasting durability and structural integrity, high-performance stay cables have been implemented.

Additionally, a Bridge Health Monitoring System (BHMS) has been included to provide real-time condition assessments, enabling early damage detection and enhancing safety and longevity of the extradosed bridge.

Earlier today, PM Modi also inaugurated an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the National Highway in Moran, located in the Dibrugarh district — marking the first such facility in the entire northeastern region.

Following the ELF inauguration, PM Modi enjoyed an air show by the Indian Air Force, which featured the Rafale, Sukhoi, and MIG fighter jets.

The fighter aircraft successfully executed takeoffs and landings on the highway strip.

Officials reported that around 1 lakh spectators gathered to celebrate this historic event.

Situated in Upper Assam, the ELF is seen as a crucial enhancement to India’s military infrastructure in the Northeast, providing the Indian Air Force increased operational flexibility in a region that has experienced rising tensions in recent times.

The Moran ELF has been designed to serve as an alternative landing site in scenarios where Dibrugarh Airport or the Chabua Air Force Station become inaccessible due to operational challenges or emergencies.

This facility greatly boosts the Indian Air Force's capacity to respond quickly to emergencies in sensitive border areas.

The 4.2-kilometre-long reinforced concrete section has been meticulously designed to function as an emergency runway, capable of accommodating both military and civilian aircraft.

Unlike standard fixed airbases that may be prone to attack or disruption during conflicts, highway-based landing facilities offer essential mobility and an element of operational surprise.