Guwahati, 09 November (H.S): The Assam government has approved the allotment of approximately 1,984 acres (around 6,000 bighas) of land at Nellie in Morigaon district for setting up the state's first Defence Park, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Monday.

The project aims to bring defence manufacturing closer to India's eastern frontiers while creating skilled employment opportunities for local youth.

The Assam State Cabinet, in a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on November 3, approved the land allotment. The proposed Defence Park will come up at Nellie, near Jagiroad, covering areas across several adjoining villages, including Bhogduba, Basundhari, Alisinga, Kholapathar and Sarumati Parbat. The land comprises government plots as well as privately owned land to be acquired from local residents.

The land is being transferred to the Industries and Commerce Department, which will develop the required infrastructure and organise investor roadshows to attract investments.

The project is being developed under the framework of the Assam Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing Policy, 2025, which seeks to promote investments in small arms and ammunition, drones, aircraft components, avionics and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services.

Strategically, the proposed park is expected to strengthen defence logistics by bringing manufacturing facilities closer to military establishments along India's eastern borders, facilitating faster replenishment of equipment.

Along with the upcoming semiconductor facility at nearby Jagiroad, the Defence Park is expected to diversify Assam's industrial base and position the Northeast as an emerging aerospace and defence manufacturing hub under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The state government expects the project to attract domestic and international defence manufacturers, startups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), generating technical and skilled employment opportunities for young people across the region.

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash