Guwahati: The Patriotic People’s Front Assam (PPFA) has welcomed the State government’s decision to name the under-construction Dighalipukhuri–Noonmati flyover after legendary Kamrup ruler Prithu Maharaj and appealed for a life-size statue of the medieval king to be erected along with the structure, which will be the longest flyover in Northeast India.
Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while hoisting the Tricolour on the 79th Independence Day at Khanapara, announced that the four-lane elevated corridor (around 5 km) connecting Dighalipukhuri and Noonmati will be dedicated to Prithu Maharaj, also known as Visvasundaradeva. The ruler is celebrated in Assam’s history for defeating Turkish-Afghan invader Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji and dismantling his army in 1206 CE, thereby preventing further incursions into the region.
The PPFA lauded Sarma’s stand that naming the flyover is part of the State’s “sacred duty” to preserve Assam’s cultural heritage and inspire younger generations by honouring historical figures. The forum also highlighted that Prithu Maharaj’s resistance, aided by tribal communities like the Bodo, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Keot, safeguarded the Hindu cultural legacy of Kamrup, where Sanskrit was recognised as Raj Bhasa.
While Assam observes Mahavijay Diwas on March 27 to commemorate the victory, the PPFA urged for wider national recognition of Prithu Maharaj’s role in resisting early invasions.