As part of the Government of Assam’s “Bikashor Baabe Edin” initiative, which roughly translates into “A Day for Development”, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on January 5 attended the foundation laying and bhumi pujan ceremonies of seven major infrastructure development projects under the Public Works (Building & National Highway) Department at various locations across Kamrup (Metro) district.
The seven projects, being undertaken at an estimated cost of approximately ₹ 1,777 cr, are: A new Raj Bhawan at Kharghuli, to be built at a cost of ₹ 41.32 cr; an auditorium with a seating capacity of 800 to be built at a cost of ₹ 44.26 cr; a police reserve at Pan Bazar at a cost of ₹ 544.44 cr; the integrated Deputy Commissioner’s Office at Rupnagar at a cost of ₹ 58.86 crore, another auditorium with a seating capacity of 5,000 at Khanapara to be built at a cost of ₹ 185 cr, the Police Commissionerate building at Khanapara which is set to cost Rs. 95 cr and the integrated Directorate Complex at Betkuchi to be built at a cost of ₹ 808 cr.
The construction of the Raj Bhawan shall be completed within the stipulated time-frame of 18 months while the other projects will take anywhere between 24 to 30 months.
Chief Minister Dr. Sarma termed the day as a historic one for the residents’ of Guwahati for these projects have the ability to go a step further in ensuring that the largest city in the North East becomes the gateway to South East Asia in more ways than one.
He said the seven projects for which the foundation stones were laid today would act as catalysts in helping the Government realise its ambitions to transform Guwahati as a nerve-centre of all important activities in the field of economy, industries, cultural affairs, and tourism in the region.
JN Khataniar, Senior Technical Adviser of GMDA and a consultant engineer was among those who lauded the Government’s latest infrastructure push.
“I must appreciate the move of the Assam Government for taking this step to make Guwahati – the Gateway of South East Asia in a real sense. The Chief Minister has been working on a vision to make Guwahati a beautiful city on all fronts,” said Khataniar.
“These projects will reduce hassles faced by the people of Guwahati. It will ease office life on one hand while ensuring that the city will have permanent structures, whose needs have been felt for a long time. There is a need for a new ‘Governor House’ as the old one (presently used by the Governor of the State) is almost outdated. Guwahati needs a modern international auditorium. The proposed international auditorium at Khanapara will enable the Government to convene international meets in the city,” commented the engineer.
“I must appreciate the move of the
Assam Government for taking this
step to make Guwahati – the Gateway
of South East Asia in a real sense. The
Chief Minister has been working on a
vision to make Guwahati a beautiful
city on all fronts”
JN Khataniar, Senior Technical
Adviser, GMDA
The Chief Minister said that the new Raj Bhawan, once completed, would easily stand out as one of the most magnificent Governor’s residences in the entire country. He said that his Government will ensure that the project is completed within the time-frame of 18 months.
Ajay Kumar Dutta, vice president of Save Guwahati Build Guwahati hailed the initiative. “This could be a silver lining in the city’s proud history. These seven projects will solve many problems in the Government’s functioning while adding beauty to the city,” he told this correspondent.
A redeveloped Guwahati Police Reserve complex at Panbazar and a new office building for the Police Commissioner would prove to be of help to the police department in efficiently and effectively carrying out their official obligations and duties in the city. Stating that a city such as Guwahati with an ever-increasing population figure poses several challenges in maintenance of law and order, traffic management, new-age technical crimes, etc., the Chief Minister exuded confidence that the redeveloped police reserve and the police Commissionerate office would serve their intended purposes and help create a favourable image for the city.
Taking part at the “bhumi pujan” at the site of the Integrated Deputy Commissioner’s Office and the Integrated Directorate Complex at Rupnagar and Betkuchi respectively, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said apart from promoting good governance and efficient time-management, the spaces that would free up urban spaces in key areas which could then be utilised for welfare of the public in the form of public parks, gardens, etc.
