The Prime Minister of India is visiting Assam for a two-day tour, during which he will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for development projects worth more than ₹47,600 crore across Kokrajhar, Guwahati and Silchar.

Major Projects Announced During the Visit

Assam Mala 3.0 Road Infrastructure Programme

• Assam Mala 3.0 is a major state road development initiative.
• The programme aims to construct over 900 kilometres of roads across Assam.
• Objective: improve interstate connectivity and strengthen links between national highways and rural roads.
• Estimated cost: over ₹3,200 crore.

Development Projects in Bodoland Territorial Region

• Six infrastructure projects will be launched in the Bodoland Territorial Council area.
• These include four flyovers and two bridges.
• Total investment: about ₹1,100 crore.
• Objective: improve urban mobility and regional connectivity.

Railway Infrastructure Development

Several railway projects will be initiated or inaugurated:

• Periodic Overhauling Workshop at Bashbari in Kokrajhar to improve railway maintenance.
• Railway electrification projects, including:
  • Rangiya–Murkongselek line
  • Chaparmukh–Dibrugarh line
  • Badarpur–Silchar line
  • Badarpur–Churaibari line
• Furkating–Tinsukia rail line doubling project worth over ₹3,600 crore.

Three new train services will also be flagged off:

• Kamakhya–Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express
• Guwahati–New Jalpaiguri Express
• Narangi–Agartala Express

Energy and Industrial Projects

• Kopili Hydro Electric Project in Dima Hasao and West Karbi Anglong districts will be dedicated to the nation.
• The project, costing over ₹2,300 crore, will enhance renewable energy generation and grid stability.
• North East Gas Grid Phase One will be inaugurated.
• This pipeline connects Guwahati, Numaligarh, Gohpur and Itanagar, with a branch to Dimapur.
• Expansion of the Numaligarh–Siliguri Product Pipeline will support the Numaligarh Refinery expansion from three million metric tonnes per year to nine million metric tonnes per year.

Tourism and Economic Infrastructure

• Prime Minister Ekta Mall in Guwahati will be inaugurated.
  • The mall will promote One District One Product items, GI products, handicrafts and handloom goods.
• Cruise terminals at Bishwanath Ghat and Nimati Ghat will be developed to boost river tourism on the Brahmaputra.

Development Projects in Silchar

• Foundation stone for the Shillong–Silchar Greenfield Corridor, the first access-controlled high-speed corridor in Northeast India.
• Construction of a new agriculture college at Patharkandi in Karimganj district.
• Development of an elevated corridor on National Highway 306 in Silchar.

Significance

These projects aim to:

• Strengthen connectivity and transport infrastructure in Northeast India.
• Improve energy security and industrial growth.
• Promote tourism, trade and regional economic integration.
• Support the national vision of balanced regional development under initiatives such as Act East Policy and infrastructure expansion programmes.

Exam Hook

Q. Statement Based Question

Consider the following statements:

1. Assam Mala is a road infrastructure programme aimed at improving connectivity across Assam.
2. The North East Gas Grid is designed to connect natural gas pipelines across Northeastern states.
3. The Kopili Hydro Electric Project is located in Dima Hasao and West Karbi Anglong districts.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

One-Line Wrap

The Prime Minister’s visit to Assam highlights a major push toward infrastructure development, energy security and economic integration in Northeast India.

SOURCE