Guwahati, 1 January (HS): Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday interacted with journalists on the occasion of the New Year and outlined a series of major infrastructure, investment, welfare and governance initiatives, terming the present phase as a period of rapid transformation for the state.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Guwahati–North Guwahati bridge in February. He also informed that in the third week of January, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the 35-kilometre-long elevated corridor through Kaziranga. Apart from this, the foundation stone of the Kokrajhar–Gelephu railway line will be laid, while a railway coach manufacturing unit will be set up at Basbari. Rail connectivity through a tunnel between Gohpur and Numaligarh is also planned.

Dr Sarma stated that Assam has transitioned from an agitation-hit state to one of the fastest developing states in the country. He said Assam has now emerged as one of India’s leading investment destinations and has secured a place alongside Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra at the World Economic Forum to be held in Davos. The Chief Minister himself has been included in the Indian delegation to the forum, calling it a special recognition for Assam in the investment sector.

Highlighting industrial growth, he said that after the ₹27,000-crore Tata semiconductor project, leading brands will set up mobile manufacturing units in Assam. He also announced that Assam will become the first state in the country to install a proton therapy machine for cancer treatment. The ₹500-crore project, to be set up by the government, will open a new chapter in the state’s healthcare sector.

On social harmony, the Chief Minister said that both indigenous Muslims and indigenous Hindus face hardships and stressed the need for collective dialogue on protecting Assam through unity and cooperation.

Dr Sarma claimed that Assam ranks first in the country in implementing three new criminal laws. He said crime has declined significantly, with registered cases dropping from 1,33,239 in 2021 to 43,748 in 2025.

Announcing welfare measures, he said the old-age pension has been increased from ₹250 to ₹400, while celibate devotees of satras will receive ₹1,500 per month. He also announced that ₹8,000 will be credited to Arunodoi beneficiaries’ accounts on February 20 as a New Year Bihu gift.

The Chief Minister said that the GST amount of ₹2.90 crore earned from singer Zubeen Garg’s film ‘Roi Roi Binale’ will be handed over to the Kalaguru Foundation. He also announced the appointment of a special public prosecutor and the move to seek a special court from the High Court to expedite the probe related to Zubeen Garg’s death case.

On illegal immigration, Dr Sarma said around 2,000 Bangladeshi nationals have been pushed back in the last three months, adding that pushback will be carried out within a week of identification by foreigner tribunals.

Describing Assam’s growth as “golden”, the Chief Minister said the state’s economy is growing at a rate of 45%, making it the fastest growing in the country.

He further announced the launch of the ‘Babu Aachoni’ on the first day of the New Year, under which postgraduate students will receive ₹2,000 and graduates ₹1,000, provided the annual income of their parents is below ₹4 lakh.---------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash