The old Saraighat Bridge over the Brahmaputra in Guwahati will remain closed to heavy vehicles from 16 July to 15 September 2025, the Kamrup (Metro) district administration announced on Tuesday, 7 July. The two-month restriction has been imposed to facilitate maintenance and structural strengthening of the six-decade-old rail-cum-road bridge, officials said.

What the Restrictions Cover

Kamrup (Metro) District Commissioner Sumit Sattawan said the decision followed recommendations from technical experts overseeing the repair work, with public safety and expedited restoration cited as the primary reasons. Under the revised traffic arrangement, trucks, multi-axle vehicles, and other heavy commercial vehicles will be barred from using the old bridge for the duration of the closure.

However, light motor vehicles, passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, and emergency service vehicles will continue to ply on the bridge under existing traffic regulations. The administration has directed transporters and commercial operators to use the new Saraighat Bridge as the alternate crossing. Traffic police and allied departments have been instructed to ensure smooth movement and minimise congestion on the diversion route.

Historical Significance of the Old Bridge

Commissioned in 1962, the old Saraighat Bridge holds the distinction of being India's first rail-cum-road bridge over the Brahmaputra. For more than five decades, it functioned as the primary road link connecting Guwahati with North Assam and the broader Northeast region, playing a pivotal role in the area's economic and social integration.

With rising traffic volumes and the natural ageing of the structure, authorities have periodically undertaken maintenance and strengthening exercises to extend its operational life. This latest round is part of those ongoing preservation efforts.

The New Bridge as Alternate Route

The four-lane new Saraighat Bridge, inaugurated in 2017 adjacent to the older structure, was built specifically to ease traffic pressure on the Brahmaputra crossing. Since its commissioning, heavy commercial traffic has been diverted to the new bridge whenever repair work is carried out on the original structure — making the current arrangement a well-established protocol rather than an emergency measure.

What Comes Next

Officials said the maintenance exercise is expected to conclude by 15 September 2025, after which normal traffic movement on the old bridge is anticipated to resume. The government has framed the work as part of a broader commitment to preserving the iconic structure while ensuring uninterrupted connectivity across both banks of the Brahmaputra. With the Northeast's road network still heavily dependent on a limited number of river crossings, the timely completion of repairs will be closely watched by commuters and freight operators alike.