Mural Erased at Maharaj Prithu Flyover Amid Controversy

The recent removal of a mural at the Maharaj Prithu Flyover in Guwahati has ignited discussions regarding artistic expression and the approval process for public artworks. Initially painted as a tribute to a local newspaper, the mural was erased following a request from a competing publication to display their name on the same pillar. The Public Works Department stated that the decision was made to avoid controversy, leading to questions about the guidelines governing public murals. This incident highlights the complexities of artistic representation in public spaces and the balance between competition and recognition in the media landscape.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 8, 2026, 13:59 IST

Mural Removal Sparks Debate

Guwahati, March 8: On March 5, the Public Works Department (PWD) instructed artists to remove a mural that illustrated the office of a local newspaper, which was painted on a pillar near the publication's location.

This decision followed a request from the executive editor of a competing local newspaper, who reached out to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for permission to display their organization's name as an 'Address Symbol' on Pillar No. 61A beneath the Maharaj Prithu Flyover in the Chandmari area.

In the correspondence, the editor noted that since the aforementioned newspaper had its name featured on a flyover pillar, they hoped to receive similar approval for their own office's name.

However, the artists responsible for the mural clarified that it was not commissioned by the newspaper. One artist mentioned that the mural was intended as a tribute to the 88-year-old publication.

A team of painters from Nagaon, hired to create murals on the flyover's pillars, had previously shared their motivations for the artwork.

“Our intention was to honor the Assam Tribune by depicting its premises on the pillar,” one of the artists stated recently.

The mural featured the Assam Tribune building on one side, along with the names Gariyoshi and The Assam Tribune. The opposite side illustrated a man seated and reading the newspaper, representing the many households that continue to engage with the publication.

The murals were not created without oversight. The artists explained that all designs must receive prior approval from the PWD before any work commences.

In an interview, one artist confirmed that all mural designs are submitted to the PWD for approval before execution.

The artist added that the mural of The Assam Tribune had also been sanctioned by the department prior to its creation.

“The PWD had given the green light for the The Assam Tribune mural, which is why we proceeded with it. Now, we have learned that it has been removed, and we are unaware of the reasons behind this decision,” the artist remarked.

In response to the request from the competing newspaper, the PWD opted to erase the mural, stating that this action was taken to prevent any potential disputes and that no organization's name or dedicated mural would be permitted on the pillars.