The Project aims to improve transport network connectivity across the Brahmaputra River, increasing mobility and accessibility to social, health, educational and economic centers, benefitting the lives of about 3 million people in the Guwahati Metropolitan Region and State Capital Region. The construction of the bridge and approach roads will improve the daily commute of people between the main city area and the institutional and industrial areas of north Guwahati, such as IIT-Guwahati, NLU Assam, AIIMS, Bio Tech Park, Industrial Park, and College Nagar.

Project components and outputs are:

Component 1 outputs: Bridge over the river (1.6 km). A six-lane-bridge over the Brahmaputra River with total length of 1.24 km built as multi-span extradosed bridge with individual span length of 200 meters between consecutive pylons and a 400 m approach ramp.

Component 2 outputs: South Bank Alignment (1.5 km). Approach roads forming a Y-junction with rotary ends of 30 m diameter, connected to the main bridge by a new 3-lane road along the south riverbank.

Component 3 outputs: North Bank Alignment (5.2 km). A viaduct connecting the main bridge to the existing roads and approach roads connecting to National Highway NH-31.

Objective of the Project is to improve socio-economic conditions in the North Guwahati Area, through improved access to economic, health, and educational centers, and transport connectivity across the Brahmaputra River. The proposed Project consists of construction of a major bridge across the Brahmaputra and approach roads, connecting the south bank to the north bank of the Guwahati metropolitan area, with the total length of approximately 8.4 km. A Sovereign Project Loan will be provided by NDB to the Government of India for on-lending to the State Government of Assam.

The Project is to be implemented over four years. Assam Public Works Department will be the Project Implementing Agency. Procurement will be conducted in compliance with the national law and regulations, and meet the core principles of NDB’s policy.

The positive impacts of the Project include: (i) improved mobility and transport network connectivity across the Brahmaputra River; (ii) enhanced connectivity to National Highways; (iii) enhanced access to essential services, facilities and markets, benefiting lives of about 3 million people in the Guwahati Metropolitan Area and the Assam State Capital Region; (iv) reduced travel time for commuters; (v) reduced carbon emissions by vehicles due to reduced travel distance and fuel consumption. The Project is Category “A” in line with NDB Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). Main environmental and social impacts include land acquisition and involuntary resettlement of people; impacts on river habitats and endangered Ganges River Dolphins; removal of trees and vegetation; dust and noise emissions; construction waste and debris management; and workers’ health & safety issues. These impacts will be mitigated by adherence to country systems and management plans developed for the Project.