Guwahati: The Assam Assembly on Tuesday passed the Guwahati Satellite City Development Authority Bill, 2026, paving the way for the establishment of a dedicated authority to plan and develop notified townships and satellite cities.
Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Kaushik Rai, who piloted the legislation, said the proposed Guwahati Satellite Cities Development Authority (GSCDA) would be responsible for promoting and securing the development of notified townships and satellite cities in areas identified by the state government from time to time.
The authority will prepare comprehensive development plans for the notified areas and oversee their planned growth.
Rai told the House that rapid urbanisation and population growth in and around Guwahati have placed increasing pressure on civic infrastructure, healthcare services, natural resources and urban governance.
He said the state also requires new economic growth centres capable of attracting investment, generating employment and supporting long-term urban expansion.
According to the minister, township planning and implementation are currently handled by multiple government agencies, resulting in overlaps in decision-making and delays in execution. The proposed authority is intended to streamline the planning process through a single specialised institution.
The GSCDA will identify future urban growth corridors, consolidate contiguous land for development, prepare plans for satellite cities, integrate transport, housing and economic infrastructure with existing civic facilities, mobilise financial resources and encourage private investment.
The government said the authority is expected to provide an institutional framework for coordinated planning and implementation of urban development projects while supporting the planned expansion of the Guwahati metropolitan region.