Dibrugarh: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday inspected the under-construction Assam Legislative Assembly complex at Khanikar in Dibrugarh and reviewed the progress of the project, which is a key part of the state government’s plan to develop the city as Assam’s second capital.
Spread across approximately 63 bighas of land, the proposed complex will accommodate the Assembly building, an MLA hostel, an auditorium, a secretariat block and other supporting infrastructure. The government has set a target of completing the project within the next 30 months.
During the inspection, Sarma assessed the construction progress and discussed challenges faced by the executing agencies, including weather-related difficulties. He also suggested modifications to the building’s front elevation and improvements to the overall landscaping and appearance of the complex.
The Chief Minister said around 20 per cent of the piling work had been completed, while construction of the boundary wall was also underway. He instructed officials to take necessary measures to maintain the pace of construction and ensure that the project was completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Sarma said the Assembly complex would be an important step towards establishing Dibrugarh as the state’s second capital. He added that the project would strengthen administrative infrastructure and bring key government functions closer to the people of upper Assam.
He emphasised the need for proper planning, modern facilities and high construction standards, while directing the concerned authorities to ensure that the design and infrastructure met the project’s objectives.
According to the proposed master plan, the Assembly building will comprise a ground floor and two upper floors, while the MLA hostel will have a ground floor and nine additional floors. The auditorium and secretariat block are planned as ground-plus-two-floor structures.
The complex will also include barracks with ground-plus-three-floor and ground-plus-four-floor configurations, along with internal roads, landscaped green spaces, parking facilities and other essential infrastructure. The proposed Khanikar Field adjoining the complex is also part of the broader development plan.
The project is expected to play a significant role in strengthening Dibrugarh’s administrative importance as the government pursues its plan to develop the city as Assam’s second capital.
Chief Minister inspects Khanikar sports complex
Following his visit to the Assembly complex, Sarma inspected the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex at Khanikar to assess the available facilities and the quality of construction.
The newly built stadium currently accommodates around 5,000 spectators, with plans to expand its capacity to approximately 35,000 as part of a broader development initiative.
During the inspection, journalists highlighted several concerns regarding the facility, including narrow and steep steps in the spectator gallery that could cause inconvenience and raise safety concerns for visitors. Questions were also raised about the quality of sanitary fittings in the toilets.
Other issues brought to the Chief Minister‘s attention included inadequate temperature-control arrangements at the swimming pool, concerns regarding lighting and water-level management, and water leakage from the roof of the indoor stadium.
Sarma inspected the facilities and directed the concerned departmental officials and contractors to address the shortcomings and undertake the necessary corrective work.
The inspections covered two major infrastructure projects at Khanikar, with the government focusing on the timely completion of the Assembly complex and improvements to the sports facilities.