Guwahati: The Guwahati Traffic Police has issued a revised traffic advisory ahead of the closure of the old Saraighat Bridge for repair and restoration work, with major diversions set to come into effect from July 13.
According to the notification, the old bridge across the Brahmaputra will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 5 am on July 13. The repair work, to be carried out by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), is expected to continue for around two months.
During the closure, all vehicles will be routed through the new Saraighat Bridge, where two-way traffic movement will be permitted to accommodate the increased traffic load.
Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs), excluding passenger buses, travelling between Lower Assam and Upper Assam will be diverted through the Baihata Chariali-Kaliabor Tiniali route. Commercial goods vehicles will also face restrictions, with entry into and exit from Guwahati via the new Saraighat Bridge prohibited between 6 am and 10 pm.
Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) travelling from Lower Assam towards Upper Assam will be directed to use the new Saraighat Bridge. Vehicles travelling from Guwahati towards Kamrup and other parts of Lower Assam will also continue to cross the river through the new bridge.
To ease congestion, the traffic police have advised motorists travelling between Lower Assam and Upper Assam to consider using the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu as an alternative route. Passengers heading to the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport have also been urged to begin their journey early to avoid delays caused by increased traffic.
Parking will not be permitted on either side of the road between Jalukbari and the Saraighat Bridge throughout the repair period. However, public buses, ambulances, fire tenders, emergency response vehicles and other LMVs will continue to operate through the new bridge.
The revised traffic arrangements will remain in force until July 31, after which the authorities will review the situation and issue further directions if required.
The Guwahati Traffic Police has appealed to commuters to follow traffic regulations, maintain lane discipline and cooperate with on-duty personnel to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles during the repair work.