the bridge was built by the northeast frontier railway, under the direction of chief engineer bankim chandra ganguli. hindustan construction company built the foundations and piers for the bridge, and braithwaite burn and jessop company built the double-warren trusses between the piers and the shore. construction of saraighat bridge was started in the dry season of 1958-59. the bridge was completed in september 1962 and the first engine rolled across it on 23 september 1962, followed by goods train service from 31 october that year. the roadway opened in march 1963. prime minister jawaharlal nehru dedicated the bridge and formally named it after the battle of saraighat on 7 june 1963.