The Saraighat Bridge is a 1.4-kilometre cantilever bridge over the Brahmaputra River in Assam, India. The bridge links the city of Jorhat with the town of North Guwahati. It was built between 1959 and 1962 and is one of India’s longest bridges.
The Saraighat Bridge is an engineering marvel and is considered one of India’s most important bridges. With more than 1,000 vehicles passing over it every day, it is also one of the busiest bridges in the nation.
See also: Jalukbari Flyover Assam: Fact guide
Saraighat Bridge: History
The history of the Saraighat Bridge dates back to the 19th century. During the British Raj, the East Indian Railway Company wanted to build a railway line connecting Assam to the rest of India. However, they struggled to build a bridge over the Brahmaputra River. The river is known for its unpredictable currents, with the water level and monsoon season changing the river’s course frequently.
The British built about 28 bridges and ferries between Bengal and Assam, including the Saraighat Bridge. The bridge opened in 1965 and remains the longest, non-compressed, cantilever bridge in South Asia and Assam.
Saraighat Bridge: Design and construction
The length of the Saraighat Bridge over the Brahmaputra River is 1,492 metres. It is a rail-cum-road bridge and has ten spans. The bridge follows the truss bridge pattern, which comprises small interconnecting triangular units rather than a single large structure. It allows the bridge to be lightweight and less expensive to construct.
The construction of the Saraighat Bridge was challenging and risky, as the Brahmaputra River is known for its erratic water levels and strong currents. Different construction techniques ensured the bridge could withstand varying water levels. The bridge was designed to shift when it came into contact with shifting river levels to allow for its survival. The structure was also designed to carry a greater load than other bridges of the period with triangular balance trusses and other related details, making it more resilient even in cases like high wind velocity, floods, and earthquakes.
Saraighat Bridge: The engineering marvel
The Saraighat Bridge, constructed between 1959 and 1962, is an engineering marvel. It was designed and built by the Government of India’s Central Public Works Department (CPWD). When the bridge was completed, it was India’s longest bridge and the third-longest in Asia. It also served as a major regional development milestone and is now considered a symbol of Assam’s economic development.
The Saraighat Bridge is a unique design in which all the steel structures are arranged in a single truss, the balance truss. It is India’s first bridge to use a balanced truss arrangement to create a greater bearing capacity against the high forces of the Brahmaputra River. The bridge was constructed using four steel elements: two main trusses and two girders.
The bridge was built using welding technology and large-scale civil engineering. The construction of this bridge relied heavily on a complex set of interlinked small-depth elements. It allowed the bridge to withstand the erosion from the Brahmaputra River and the powerful currents of the water. The exact construction of the current Saraighat Bridge remains a marvel.
Saraighat Bridge: Importance
The Saraighat Bridge has become of great importance to the region. Not only does it provide a critical link between Assam and other states, but it also affords many economic benefits to the region. For starters, it has been a thread between the major ports and the entire region of Assam, making it easier for people to send goods and services to new markets.
Moreover, it has also reduced the travel time between the states and brought many tourists from various places. With the great increase in people, local businesses have seen a rise in their income, thus creating a win-win situation for everyone. It has also contributed to developing industrial activities, education, and health services in the area, improving the overall quality of life for those in that region.
The Saraighat Bridge has become a symbol of unity and a unique part of Assam’s history. It has provided the much-needed link between the five states at the bridge and created a unique phenomenon. Even though the construction took only two years, the bridge has become a part of the region’s culture, history, and spirit.
FAQs
When was the Saraighat Bridge built?
The Saraighat Bridge was built in 1962. The Hindustan Construction Company constructed it.
Is the Saraighat Bridge a toll bridge?
No, the Saraighat Bridge is not a toll bridge. It is a public bridge and free for all vehicles to use.
Is the Saraighat Bridge open to pedestrians?
No, the Saraighat Bridge is not open to pedestrians. It is a vehicular bridge and is used primarily for motorised traffic. However, plans are to build a separate pedestrian bridge parallel to the Saraighat Bridge.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
