Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced ₹1 lakh crore worth of new infrastructure projects coming up in state at Delhi roundtable ahead of Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit
The Assam government is in discussions with the Ministry of Defence to establish a defence corridor connecting areas near Guwahati and Nagaon. This was revealed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during a roadshow and roundtable discussion held in New Delhi on Tuesday, January 7, for the upcoming Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit.
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Sarma underlined the defence corridor's significance in resolving logistical challenges faced by the armed forces. “The largest deployment of Indian armed forces is in the Northeast and Kashmir. Currently, armoured tanks sent to the Northeast must be returned to the mainland for repairs. Why can’t Assam become a hub for such facilities?” he remarked.
The chief minister also dismissed the notion of Assam as a gateway to South Asia, citing geopolitical tensions in neighbouring Bangladesh and Myanmar. Instead, he proposed strengthening Assam’s infrastructure to bolster trade flows across India. "If finished goods from Chennai can reach Assam, the reverse should also be possible," Sarma added.
Additionally, Sarma announced ₹1 lakh crore worth of new infrastructure projects. These include three additional Brahmaputra bridges, a satellite city near Guwahati with Singapore’s collaboration, and a railway line connecting Guwahati to Gelephu, Bhutan. He also highlighted Assam’s commitment to green energy, urging industries like the Tata semiconductor plant in Jagiroad to adopt renewable sources.
Sarma further stated that the Assam government plans to establish a ₹25,000 crore production-linked incentive (PLI) fund.