Prime Minister Narendra Modi Unveils Major Infrastructure Push in Assam Worth Over Rs 5,500 Crore
In a significant development for Assam's infrastructure landscape, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a series of high-value projects totaling more than Rs 5,500 crore on Saturday. This strategic rollout, occurring months ahead of the state assembly elections, is designed to enhance connectivity, fortify digital infrastructure, promote higher education, and improve public transportation across the region.
Multi-Faceted Project Launch Aims at Comprehensive Development
The inauguration ceremony marked the commencement of several key initiatives, including a state-of-the-art six-lane bridge over the Brahmaputra River, the establishment of the northeast's second Indian Institute of Management (IIM), a cutting-edge national data centre, and the introduction of a new fleet of electric buses. These projects collectively represent a substantial investment in Assam's future growth and modernization.
Emergency Landing Facility and Brahmaputra Bridge Inauguration
Prime Minister Modi initiated his day-long visit by inaugurating the northeast's first emergency landing facility (ELF) at Moran in Dibrugarh district, arriving aboard a C-130J aircraft. Following this, he launched the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu in Guwahati, a remarkable six-lane extradosed prestressed concrete bridge constructed at a cost of Rs 3,030 crore.
Spanning 7.75 kilometers, including approach roads and flyovers, this bridge is the first of its kind in the northeast and the third bridge over the Brahmaputra in Guwahati. It is engineered with friction pendulum bearings to withstand high seismicity and features a bridge health monitoring system for real-time safety assessments. The foundation stone for this bridge was laid by Modi in February 2019.
Enhanced Connectivity and Travel Efficiency
The new bridge is set to dramatically reduce travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati, cutting it down to just seven minutes from the current 30 minutes via the Saraighat Bridge. This improvement is expected to facilitate smoother transportation and boost economic activities in the area.
Establishment of IIM Guwahati and National Data Centre
At Lachit Ghat, Prime Minister Modi unveiled the temporary campus of IIM-Guwahati, which marks the second IIM in the northeast and the 22nd in India. The permanent campus, with an investment of Rs 555 crore, will be developed at Palasbari near Guwahati. Initially, classes will be conducted from a transit campus at Tech City, Bongora, under the mentorship of IIM-Ahmedabad.
Additionally, Modi inaugurated the National Data Centre (NDC) for the northeast, established at Amingaon in Kamrup district with a cost of Rs 348 crore. Equipped with a sanctioned load of 8.5 MW and advanced rack capacity, this centre will host mission-critical applications for government departments and serve as a disaster recovery hub, significantly strengthening the region's ICT backbone under the Digital India initiative.
Strategic Timing and Broader Implications
The timing of these inaugurations, ahead of the Assam assembly elections, underscores the government's focus on accelerating development in the state. By addressing key areas such as transportation, education, and digital infrastructure, these projects aim to create a more connected and technologically advanced Assam, paving the way for sustained economic growth and improved quality of life for its residents.
