Dibrugarh: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday laid the foundation stone for Assam’s second Legislative Assembly complex in Dibrugarh, marking a significant milestone in the state’s infrastructure development.
The ambitious Rs 284-crore project, spread across 250 acres, will house the Assembly building, an MLA hostel, an 800-capacity auditorium, and a 480-capacity barrack.
The ceremony also witnessed the inauguration of Phase-1 of the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex at Khanikar, constructed at a cost of Rs 238 crore.
The facility features an indoor stadium, a swimming pool complex, a football playground, and courts for lawn tennis, volleyball, and basketball, along with residential hostels.
Shah also laid the foundation for Phase-2, a Rs 209-crore expansion that will increase seating capacity from 5,000 to 35,000, creating Assam’s largest sports complex.
Speaking at the Khanikar Playground, Shah said, “The Congress government has not done anything for the people of Assam. But after our government came into power, we are committed to work for the development of the state. The BJP government made the announcement, and today the foundation stone of Assam’s second Assembly Complex has been laid.”
Shah remotely inaugurated the Institute of Wildlife Health and Research at Dinjan, dedicated to scientific research and wildlife protection, and launched Assam’s Wetland Restoration Model under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund.
The wetland initiative, based on satellite surveys conducted by the Space Application Centre, aims to divert Brahmaputra floodwaters to 15 rejuvenated lakes.
With an initial allotment of Rs 692 crore, the project targets the restoration of 15 major wetlands to serve as natural reservoirs for Brahmaputra floodwaters.
“We promised a flood-free Assam, and today we are delivering the scientific solution. The Union Home Ministry has allotted Rs 692 crore for 15 wetland developments in the first phase. By diverting water into these 15 rejuvenated lakes, we will protect 7.5 lakh people from floods and bring 77,000 hectares of land under irrigation by utilising the stored water, allowing our farmers to grow crops three times a year,” he said.
The Home Minister highlighted economic benefits from the recent India-European Union Free Trade Agreement. “The biggest benefit of the FTA will be Dibrugarh, as the tea produced in the tea gardens will reach the 27 countries of the European Union with zero tariff. From Paris to Berlin, the fragrance of Assam tea will now represent India on a global stage,” he stated.
Criticizing Congress, Shah said the Congress party used infiltration as a weapon for its vote-bank politics. “Vote for the BJP in the next Assembly polls for development, peace, security, industry, and a flood-free Assam,” he said.
“If the BJP comes to power for the third time, the Bangladeshi infiltrators will be removed from Assam. They are changing the demographic pattern and are a threat to national security,” Shah stated.