Rukminigaon set for new Rs 112 Crore flyover

Guwahati: The city is set to witness the construction of a new four-lane flyover bridge at Rukminigaon aimed at easing traffic congestion in the area.

Business North East spoke to the Public Works Department (PWD), who informed that the new flyover will span 640 meters in length and feature a pile foundation with a steel-RCC composite superstructure.

One of the PWD officials stated, “The bridge will begin 120 meters from the end of an already-existing flyover in the Super Market area and extend to 120 meters before the start of another flyover at Six Mile. The cost of the project has been estimated at Rs 112 crore, which is expected to be allocated soon.”

Preparatory work, such as clearance, has already begun, though the contract for construction has yet to be awarded. "The construction work will most probably begin this September. While the official timeline for completion is 18 months, the government is aiming to finish the project in just 9 months, before the 2025 monsoon season," the official added.

PWD officials emphasized that the primary goal of the flyover is to alleviate the severe traffic bottleneck at Rukmini Point, where vehicles often face long delays, wasting significant amounts of fuel. The new flyover is expected to reduce both traffic congestion and the risk of accidents in the area, making commuting safer and more efficient.

However, a local restaurant owner near Rukminigaon expressed concerns about the preparatory work for the new flyover, calling it a short-term solution that fails to address the underlying traffic problems. According to the resident, while the project aims to improve traffic flow, its environmental impact and long-term effectiveness remain questionable.

He further stated “the construction of the flyover has led to the cutting down of numerous trees, harming the environment”.

Additionally, “constructing the bridge, which takes almost a year, impacts nearby businesses due to the prolonged construction period. The disruption caused by blocked roads and diverted traffic not only affects daily business operations but also creates significant inconvenience for commuters in the area.” he added.

On the other hand, another resident near Rukminigaon supported the project, stating that “It is a good step by the government, as it will help reduce traffic congestion in the future, noting that people often get stuck in traffic jams in the area.”