Amit Shah lays foundation stone for new Assam assembly building, launches projects worth Rs 1,715 Crore
New Delhi, Jan 30: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Friday laid the foundation stone for the new Assam Legislative Assembly building in Dibrugarh and launched five development projects worth about Rs 1,715 crore. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and MoS for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita were among those present.
Addressing the gathering, Shah said the move follows the Assam government’s decision to make Dibrugarh the state’s second capital as part of efforts to promote inclusivity. He said the new Assembly complex, to be built on 57 bighas of land, reflects the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises and ensuring balanced regional development.
Highlighting flood mitigation efforts, Shah said the Centre has allocated Rs 692 crore for the development of 15 wetlands in Assam to reduce flood impact, benefit nearly 7.5 lakh people and improve irrigation across about 77,000 hectares of land. He noted that the projects would also boost groundwater levels, agriculture, animal husbandry and tourism. Shah said Assam stands to gain significantly from India’s recent free trade agreement with the European Union, particularly the tea industry, which will benefit from zero-tariff access to European markets.
The Home Minister also highlighted recent land reforms benefiting tea garden workers and said efforts are underway to curb infiltration and protect Assam’s demographic balance. Shah further inaugurated the first phase of a multi-disciplinary sports complex in Dibrugarh built at a cost of Rs 238 crore, and laid the foundation for its second phase worth Rs 209 crore. He also announced plans for a housing project for legislators and a Wildlife Research Institute in the region. Earlier, Shah paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary, recalling his role in securing independence and inspiring the nation through non-violence.
