Noonmati-Ambari flyover's work in progress amid delays, tree-transplant row

Time of India

11 hours ago

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Guwahati: Construction of the Noonmati-Ambari flyover has reached 48% completion, according to the Assam public works department (PWD). The progress update has come after chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's announcement on Sunday that the Rs 800-crore project is expected to be completed ahead of next year's Bohag Bihu.
PWD (roads) chief engineer Sanjeev Shyam on Monday said pillars have been erected in Bamunimaidam and Chandmari areas.
However, he said work on the Ambari-end faced initial delays due to challenges related to tree felling and the redesign of the stretch between Guwahati Rotary and Dighalipukhuri. "These issues had caused considerable delays in initiating the work on that segment. With all necessary clearances now in place, we hope to begin work on it immediately," Shyam said.
The PWD had undertaken late-night operations to relocate age-old trees with support from a Delhi-based consultant. However, after concerns were raised about the unscientific methods being used, two persons — Mahesh Deka and Jayanta Gogoi — filed a petition before the Gauhati high court last month, demanding that tree transplantation be monitored by an appointed officer. Authorities have since assured that 23 mature trees near the Assam State Museum will remain untouched.
Shyam said drainage construction is ongoing along the GNB Road stretch. "Once that work is complete, we will coordinate with the traffic police to divert traffic through a new alignment, starting from the Burha Jame Masjid-end in Ambari," he added.
Meanwhile, piling operations for the bridge's structure — critical to the flyover's structural stability — are scheduled to begin by Aug end.