Assam Chief Minister Unveils Major Infrastructure Projects to Boost Connectivity and Economy
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, speaking at the 77th Republic Day celebrations in Dibrugarh, announced ambitious plans to construct express corridors that will connect Dibrugarh to Guwahati and Guwahati to Siliguri. These projects are expected to drastically reduce travel time and transform the state's transportation infrastructure, providing a significant boost to economic activity and connectivity across upper Assam.
Express Corridors and Elevated Infrastructure
Once the Dibrugarh-Guwahati express corridor becomes operational, it will significantly cut travel time between the two cities, enhancing regional integration. In addition, work has begun on a 35-kilometer-long elevated corridor at Kaziranga, which is anticipated to be completed within approximately two years. This elevated corridor will not only contribute to reducing travel time but also ensure minimal disturbance to wildlife in the UNESCO World Heritage Kaziranga National Park, balancing development with environmental conservation.
Judicial and Legislative Developments
Sarma also revealed that the government has requested the Chief Justice of India to establish a circuit bench of the Gauhati High Court in Dibrugarh. This move aims to provide easier access to justice for residents of upper Assam and surrounding regions, reducing the need to travel to Guwahati for high court proceedings. Furthermore, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will lay the foundation stone for Assam's second legislative assembly complex in Dibrugarh on January 30. The project, estimated to cost approximately Rs 300 crore, is expected to give new momentum to upper Assam's development and strengthen administrative capabilities in the region.
Transformative Road Connectivity and Economic Growth
The Chief Minister highlighted the transformative changes in road connectivity over recent years. Since 2016, major bridges such as the Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, Bogibeel Bridge, the new Saraighat Bridge, and the new Kalia Bhomora Bridge have been opened to traffic. Currently, four more bridges are under construction across the Brahmaputra River, further enhancing connectivity across the state. These infrastructure improvements are part of a broader economic resurgence, with Reserve Bank of India data showing Assam as the fastest-growing state economy in the country over the past five years. The state's gross state domestic product has risen rapidly, nearly tripling in size in less than a decade.
Investment Commitments and Industrial Growth
Sarma emphasized the significant investment commitments secured for Assam's development. At the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit in February last year, commitments totaled more than Rs 5 lakh crore, with projects worth nearly Rs 3 lakh crore already moving toward implementation. Following his participation in the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, from January 19-24, Assam received additional investment commitments worth approximately Rs 1.5 lakh crore. In terms of industrial growth, the country's first bio-ethanol plant has started operations at Numaligarh, and the foundation stone has been laid for the fourth unit of the fertiliser plant at Namrup with an investment exceeding Rs 10,000 crore. Additionally, chip production is expected to begin within six months at the Jagiroad plant, positioning Assam as a hub for chip exports.
Employment and Governance Initiatives
The Chief Minister also highlighted the government's commitment to employment, noting that the state has exceeded its election promise of providing one lakh government jobs by recruiting more than 1.56 lakh young people through a transparent process. Several thousand more appointments are planned by February, further supporting youth employment and economic stability in the region.
