Guwahati Flyovers Renamed, Linking Traffic Relief With Cultural Heritage
Guwahati’s fast-expanding flyover network is now embracing both mobility and memory. The soon-to-be-inaugurated Rukminigaon flyover, a vital link in the city’s congested Dispur–Six Mile corridor, will be named “Bhagadatta 2” in honour of an ancient Kamrup ruler. Alongside this, the Supermarket and Six Mile flyovers will also carry the Bhagadatta name, symbolising a conscious effort to blend infrastructure upgrades with regional heritage and communal pride.
The newly completed Rukminigaon flyover, stretching 650 metres and constructed at an estimated cost of ₹111 crore, is poised to decongest one of Guwahati’s most overburdened urban corridors. Located strategically between Ganeshguri and Six Mile, the flyover aims to streamline traffic flow across key residential and administrative zones, particularly during peak hours. According to senior project engineers, this elevated corridor is expected to reduce surface-level congestion by diverting over 40,000 vehicles per day. However, what makes this launch particularly symbolic is its rechristening as “Bhagadatta 2,” honouring the historic monarch from the Mahabharata era. Two other nearby flyovers — Supermarket and Six Mile — have also been named Bhagadatta 1 and Bhagadatta 3, respectively, establishing a trilogy of infrastructure rooted in Assam’s ancient cultural lineage. Authorities said the naming decision is aligned with citizen appeals to preserve indigenous history while reinforcing the utility of new urban mobility solutions.
Experts in urban design have welcomed the move as an example of how city infrastructure can reflect both present-day needs and local narratives. While urban sprawl and vehicle growth have challenged Guwahati’s arterial roads, particularly in the Beltola and Ganeshguri stretches, the introduction of the Rukminigaon flyover is seen as timely intervention. Civic authorities said the new structure was completed within expected timelines and includes basic pedestrian pathways and barrier provisions to ensure commuter safety. The culturally significant naming also seeks to instil community ownership of public assets, an aspect that urban sociologists say is often overlooked in modern planning. By invoking the legacy of King Bhagadatta — a figure deeply rooted in Assam’s collective memory — the flyovers are not just functional overpasses but markers of place identity. The effort aligns with a broader trend of integrating cultural symbolism into city infrastructure, a move gaining traction across Indian urban centres.
Guwahati’s Bhagadatta flyovers mark more than just road infrastructure upgrades — they represent a convergence of legacy and livelihood. As the city evolves to meet the demands of increasing traffic, its civic planning is taking strides to root progress in tradition. The flyovers, while easing congestion in critical nodes, serve as a tribute to Assam’s storied past. Residents commuting daily over these bridges are now reminded of the heritage beneath the asphalt. In naming its roads after legends, the city sends a clear signal: infrastructure can connect not just places — but people to their history.
