The recently held Advantage Assam 2.0 witnessed a series of sessions being chaired by Union Ministers who not only spoke highly about the event but also made several key announcements for the holistic development of Assam and the North Eastern region.
Union Minister of Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), M. Jyotiraditya Scindia, delivered the keynote address at the “I-Way to Viksit Assam” session projected the State as a gateway to Southeast Asia, the ASEAN region and the Global South.
He announced that his Ministry of Communication has undertaken investment worth ₹4,000 cr to strengthen Assam’s telecom infrastructure. Under the Bharat Net Project, 2,285 GPs have already been connected to broadband, with plans to expand coverage to 25,000 villages. “₹1,800 cr investment through BSNL will enhance network infrastructure across North East India. BSNL will connect the last village in Assam with 4G and 5G networks,” he said.
Under the Samridhi Gram Yojana, the Government will establish one 5G Use Application Service in every block across Assam. “Through these 5G applications, we aim to bridge the digital divide and bring essential services like education and healthcare to every child in rural Assam,” Scindia added.
The Union Minister also informed the gathering of the launch of a 5G Lab at Gauhati University which aims to foster research and skill development in next-generation telecom technologies. “Beyond connectivity, Assam is positioning itself as a leader in emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and semiconductor manufacturing,” he mentioned appealing the investors to participate in Assam’s digital revolution, “Assam’s growth is integral to India’s progress.”
Taking part at the session Advancing Semiconductor Horizons in Assam for Viksit Bharat, Union Minister of Railways, Electronics & Information Technology, and Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnav described the North East as the “New Engine” for India’s development.
He announced that the Guwahati Railway Station would be transformed into a new IT hub. He also announced the commissioning of two Gati Shakti cargo terminals at Moinarband and Cinnamara and the development of six additional Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals at Chaygaon, New Bongaigaon, Bihara, Hilara, Baihata and Rangjuli.
Bolstering connectivity, he confirmed the operations of yet another Vande Bharat Express from Guwahati and Agartala, “Two Amrit Bharat trains (between Guwahati-Delhi and Guwahati-Chennai), which will become operational this year and a railway engine midlife remanufacturing facility will be set up in Lumding. A Wagon Workshop will come up at Bashbari in the BTR at the cost of ₹300 cr,” he said.
He informed the participants of the session about the development of a Greenfield Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) at Bongora, Kamrup, under the Electronics Manufacturing Scheme at a project cost of ₹120 cr. “Moreover, the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) has been upgraded to a Deemed-to-be University, with plans to establish a campus in Jagiroad.”
During the session, the Assam Government signed an MoUs with 10 industry groups from the semiconductor ecosystem across Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan strengthening international partnerships and fostering investment in the State’s growing semiconductor industry.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed the Union Government’s commitment to ‘Act East, Act Fast and Act First’ and highlighted that Act East starts with the change of approach by Delhi towards Assam and North Eastern States that has happened since 2014.
“Neighborhood First policy has transformed infrastructure and connectivity across our eastern borders. Wholehearted commitment to bilateral and regional cooperation can take it further,” the EAM emphasized, adding, “Assam can act as a hub for our Act East policy. Brand Assam grows stronger by the day.”
Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri attending the session, “Unlocking Assam’s Energy Potential: Building Future-ready Oil and Gas Infrastructure, Innovation, and Investment Aligned with Global Energy Transitions”, stated, “Green hydrogen is the ‘fuel of the future’ and a game changer and if prices of green hydrogen can be reduced, it will change the energy consumption scenario.”
The Union Minister announced the setting up of a separate designated research section for bio-fuel production from municipal waste at the OCL campus in Assam.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal announced an investment of more than ₹4,800 crore to transform the inland waterways at a session on Assam’s Roads, Railway and Riverine Tourism.
He also announced ₹1,500 cr investment for Green Vessel Transition by 2030 under ‘Harit Nauka Scheme’, and said that over ₹1,500 cr have been earmarked to facilitate cruise tourism and enhance cargo handling capacity by 2027-28 in NW2 and NW16.
“Centre has earmarked ₹120 cr for Regional Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh also taken the initiative to develop riverine lighthouses along Brahmaputra with ₹100 cr investment,” he pointed out
Attending the valedictory session ‘The Future of Export Logistics in Assam’, Union Minister of Industry & Commerce Piyush Goyal stressed the role of the 3Ts (Trade, Technology, Tourism) and 3Is (Industry, Infrastructure, Investment) in pushing the future development of Assam.
Goyal expressed his belief on transformation of Assam to a dependable and progressing state.
A souvenir of the summit titled “Celebrating Assam’s Investment Growth Story” capturing the spirit of Assam’s revolutionary investor-friendly ecosystem and entrepreneurial spirit was unveiled at the concluding ceremony.
