Prime Minister Modi's Upcoming Visit to Assam: Key Highlights and Initiatives
Overview of the Visit
Guwahati, Jan 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in Assam for a two-day visit starting January 17, featuring a comprehensive agenda that encompasses cultural events, infrastructure development, and enhanced connectivity.
Details of the Itinerary
During a press briefing following a Cabinet meeting in Guwahati, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed that the council of ministers extensively discussed the Prime Minister's itinerary.
Modi is scheduled to land in Guwahati on the evening of January 17 and will witness a grand Bagurumba dance performance at Sarusajai Stadium, showcasing the talents of 8,000 to 10,000 performers.
After spending the night at State Guest House No. 1, he will head to Kaliabor in Nagaon district the following day to speak at a public rally at Mouchanda field.
Infrastructure Developments
A significant aspect of this visit will be the foundation-laying ceremony for a 34.5-km elevated corridor connecting Kaliabor to Bokakhat, which will traverse Kaziranga National Park.
Chief Minister Sarma noted that the Union Cabinet has sanctioned Rs 6,957 crore for this project, marking it as the largest infrastructure investment in Assam's history.
The state government has already completed land acquisition for the corridor, and the tender process by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is nearing completion.
This elevated corridor aims to minimize wildlife casualties caused by vehicular traffic, especially during the annual floods in Kaziranga when animals often cross roads in search of higher ground.
Sarma emphasized that the project will significantly cut down travel time for commuters between Guwahati and Upper Assam, including Jorhat and Sivasagar.
Currently, it takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to navigate the Kaziranga stretch due to speed limits, but the new corridor is expected to reduce this to just 20 minutes.
He also mentioned that the existing road through the national park will remain accessible, providing travelers with route options.
New Train Services
Additionally, the Prime Minister will inaugurate two new train services from Kaliabor, connecting Dibrugarh to Gomti and Guwahati to Rohtak.
Moreover, he will launch the first Vande Bharat sleeper train service between Kolkata and Guwahati from a neighboring state on January 17.
In total, Assam will benefit from three new train services over the two-day period, as stated by the Chief Minister.
Administrative Decisions
Alongside reviewing major infrastructure initiatives, the state Cabinet approved several administrative measures.
Sarma mentioned that the council has allocated one bigha of land in Guwahati to the Bodo Sahitya Sabha for a multi-purpose project and approved land allotments for various applicants under Mission Basundhara 2.0.