GUWAHATI: The first Tea Museum of Northeast India is under construction in Dibrugarh and will be opened to the public in the first half of 2023. The announcement was made by Rituparna Baruah, Chairperson of the Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited (ATDC) on December 21, in Dibrugarh, also known as the 'tea city of India'.
The project was approved in 2016 by the Department of Tourism, and a fund of Rs 3.14 crore was sanctioned jointly by the North East Council (NEC) and State government for the first phase of the project. Another Rs 40 crore has been approved by NEC for the second phase on a priority basis.
Construction work of the Tea Museum on over 2.66 acres of land began in 2017. Baruah informed that 90 percent of the project has already been completed.
In the second phase, an auditorium, a model tea garden, and a tea factory will be constructed inside the museum complex.
A Tea Museum has been a long standing demand of the public and stakeholders of the industry as it is expected to provide the necessary boost to Tea tourism and the Tea industry.
Dinesh Bihani, Secretary Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers Association told G Plus, "Assam tea produces one of the best quality teas, and is known for its aroma and taste. Assam will soon be completing 200 years in the Tea industry. This move (Tea Museum) of the Government is a gift to all the tea lovers of Assam and is very much appreciated. Apart from attracting tourists, it will also help take the Tea industry of Assam forward to achieve new heights."
