In a major push towards strengthening administrative, sports, environmental and disaster-mitigation capacities in the State, Union Minister Amit Shah launched a slew of infrastructure and development projects worth ₹1,715 cr in Dibrugarh. The projects were unveiled at a public programme attended by Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly from upper Assam constituencies, State Cabinet ministers and senior Government officials.
A key highlight of the event was the laying of the foundation stone for the second Legislative Assembly complex and an MLA hostel, a project estimated to cost Rs 284 cr. The initiative is part of the Assam Government’s broader vision to develop Dibrugarh as the State’s second administrative hub, complementing Dispur. According to officials, the complex will feature a three-storey assembly building, a nine-storey hostel for legislators, an 800-seat auditorium and dedicated barracks for security personnel, significantly enhancing legislative infrastructure in Upper Assam.
The Union Home Minister also inaugurated the first phase of a modern multi-disciplinary sports complex built at a cost of ₹238 cr, while simultaneously laying the foundation stone for its second phase, which will require an additional investment of ₹209 cr.
The first phase includes an indoor stadium, a swimming pool, a football field, a main gallery, courts for tennis, volleyball and basketball, along with residential hostels for athletes. Once completed, the second phase will add seating capacity for around 30,000 spectators, a central playground and a full-fledged athletic track, positioning the facility as one of the largest sports hubs in the region.
In another significant step towards wildlife conservation, the Union Home Minister laid the foundation stone for the Wildlife Health and Research Centre, project that would cost ₹292 cr, aimed at strengthening the treatment, research and rehabilitation of wild animals.
Congratulating Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Shah said, “The State Government had delivered on its promise to make Assam more inclusive.”
The Union Home Minister added that the State Government had translated commitments into action, “Today, residents of Dibrugarh will be recognised across the country as citizens of Assam’s capital.”
Addressing Assam’s recurring flood challenges, the Union Home Minister also launched the Rs 692 cr project for the restoration and rejuvenation of wetlands under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund. The initiative targets the scientific restoration of 15 selected wetlands across nine districts of the State.
The wetland restoration project is expected to play a critical role in climate resilience, particularly in flood-prone urban and semi-urban areas. By reviving natural water bodies, the initiative aims to complement structural flood-control measures and promote sustainable environmental management.
Collectively, the projects underscore the Centre and the Assam Government’s focus on balanced regional development, with investments spanning governance, sports infrastructure, environmental conservation and disaster mitigation.
After the programme, the Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma posted, “A Red Letter Day for Assam! For decades, Assam’s governance structure was Guwahati-centric where decisions for every region were taken from the capital- but today with the foundation of a new Assembly Complex laid by Adarniya Amit Shah this is set to change. With the existing CMO and this Assembly, Dibrugarh will be fully transformed as Assam’s second capital.”
The Chief Minister also added that not only this assembly, a new MLA Hostel will also be built for legislators. “Today, Phase I of Khanikar Stadium was dedicated to the people, while the second phase would make it bigger than Sarusajai Stadium.”
