Guwahati: City residents will have an added reason to enjoy quality leisure time this Holi, as the district administration has decided to extend the pedestrian-only access period for the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Bridge by a week.The extension aims to give visitors more time to experience the unique walk across the river, especially during the festive period, when public footfall traditionally rises.
The bridge, which connects Guwahati with North Guwahati across the Brahmaputra, was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on Feb 14. The bridge was initially opened exclusively for pedestrians from Feb 14 to Feb 28. Vehicular movement was scheduled to begin from March 1. However, the administration has revised the plan in view of the enthusiastic response from residents and tourists, who have been thronging the bridge to enjoy the panoramic view, open spaces, and festive atmosphere.According to an official statement, the bridge will remain a pedestrian-only corridor from March 1 to March 7. During this period, visitors can continue to walk safely without traffic movement, allowing better crowd management and ensuring that the growing number of Holi-time visitors face no inconvenience. The administration noted that the measure is intended to prioritise safety, while accommodating the celebratory spirit of the festival.From March 8, the bridge will be open for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, light motor vehicles, SUVs and other similar vehicles. However, the movement of buses and trucks will remain suspended until further notice due to persistent heavy footfall and traffic build-up on both ends of the structure.The 1.24-km, six-lane extradosed bridge, constructed at a cost of around Rs 3,000 crore, is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati — from nearly an hour to just 7–10 minutes.
