Guwahati, July 6: The city has expanded its infrastructure with the recent inauguration of the Bhagadatta II flyover located in Rukminigaon.

After a construction period of nine months, which included various traffic disruptions and delays, Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma officially opened the flyover to the public.

During the inauguration ceremony, the Chief Minister shared plans for future development projects and emphasized the importance of local talent, highlighting the flyover as a symbol of indigenous capability.

“To alleviate traffic issues in the Downtown area, we contracted Anil Das Construction Pvt. Ltd. to construct a 660-meter flyover. Originally scheduled for 18 months, I am pleased to announce that a team led by Assamese youth completed it in just nine months,” he stated.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with dignitaries at the inauguration ceremony. (Photo:@CMOfficeAssam/X)

He commended the engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD) for their dedication and skill, stating they represent the vibrant potential of Assam's youth.

“This project was executed under the guidance of local professionals and finished ahead of schedule,” he remarked.

The Chief Minister also pointed out Guwahati's evolving status as a regional employment center, noting, “Currently, 10 lakh youths are employed in this city. Guwahati is now a professional hub for the entire Northeast, similar to how Mumbai and Ahmedabad serve the West, Delhi the North, and Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore the South.”

Sarma revealed that several call centers are planning to establish operations in the city soon. “I have been informed that multiple call center companies are eager to set up offices here. In Tech City near Borjhar, three such centers have already expressed interest,” he added.

Expressing his aspirations for the youth of Assam, the Chief Minister shared his goal to reduce migration.

“I envision a future where no Assamese youth needs to leave the state to find work as a security guard. My focus is on supporting those in need, not those who already have everything. That is the kind of Chief Minister I aspire to be,” he stated.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with Cabinet Minister Atul Bora. (Photo: @CMOfficeAssam)

Among other announcements, he provided an update on the expansion of Guwahati Airport, stating, “The new terminal is set to open in November, and I assure you that people will visit Guwahati just to see the airport.”

He also confirmed that an elevated corridor connecting Jalukbari to the airport is on the horizon. “I recently met with Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, and I can assure you that construction will commence this year. Once completed, it will reduce travel time between Jalukbari and the airport to just three minutes,” he explained.

In a related event, a group of local residents organized a protest near a bus stop along the route of the new flyover.

They displayed a large banner, urging immediate action to address the ongoing water-logging issues in the Rukminigaon area and called for the establishment of waterlogging-free roads.

A group of residents of Rukminigaon staging a silent protest. (AT Photo)