Dibrugarh: The Dibrugarh Press Club (DPC) is set to have its first permanent office complex at Jalannagar South, marking a long-awaited milestone for the media fraternity of Upper Assam.
The foundation stone of the proposed building is expected to be laid by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, DPC president Manash Jyoti Dutta informed.
The development follows approval from the Government of Assam and the formal relinquishment of a plot measuring 3 kathas and 9 lessas by the management of Jalannagar South Tea Estate Private Limited in favour of the Press Club. The land falls under Mancotta Khanikar Mouza in the Dibrugarh West Revenue Circle.
Expressing gratitude, the DPC thanked the State government and the district administration for facilitating the allotment of land within the city, thereby fulfilling a long-pending demand of the media fraternity. The Club also conveyed appreciation to Mrigendra Jalan and Mrityunjay Jalan, Directors of the tea company, as well as the management and plantation workers of Jalannagar South Tea Estate for relinquishing the plot in favour of the organisation.
For journalists who have long functioned without permanent infrastructure, the development is being viewed as a historic and transformative step.
The proposed complex is envisioned as a modern, fully equipped media hub designed to meet the evolving demands of contemporary journalism. In addition to administrative office space, the building will house a spacious conference and seminar hall equipped with advanced audio-visual facilities for press conferences, workshops and public discussions.
Plans also include a digital newsroom and co-working space with high-speed connectivity and professional workstations. A well-stocked reference library and media resource centre will support research and archival needs, while a dedicated media training hall will host capacity-building programmes and skill development workshops for young and working journalists.
An exhibition-cum-museum section is proposed to document and showcase the history and evolution of journalism in Upper Assam, preserving rare photographs, documents and memorabilia.
The complex will further include a press briefing room for official interactions, a members’ lounge to encourage networking and dialogue, and a dining hall with cafeteria facilities. Guest rooms are planned to accommodate visiting journalists, speakers and dignitaries, while a recreation area and fitness centre will contribute to members’ well-being.
Adequate parking facilities, accessible infrastructure and modern sanitation arrangements have been incorporated into the design to ensure functionality and convenience. The building is also intended to be environmentally conscious, with provisions for natural lighting, ventilation and sustainable utility systems.
Dutta stated that efforts would be made to involve members of the tea plantation workers’ community by creating employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phases of the project, reflecting the Club’s commitment to inclusive growth and community engagement.
The establishment of a permanent Press Club complex carries particular importance for Dibrugarh, which has increasingly emerged as the second capital of Assam and serves as a major administrative, educational, medical and commercial centre for Upper Assam.
A Press Club functions as more than an office for reporters. It serves as a vital platform for dialogue between the government, civil society and the media, facilitating press briefings, policy discussions and public engagement. It fosters professional solidarity among journalists and promotes ethical standards, training and capacity-building in an era marked by rapid technological transformation and information challenges.
As Dibrugarh continues to grow in prominence within the state’s administrative framework, the new Dibrugarh Press Club complex is expected to become a central institution in shaping informed public discourse across Upper Assam. The project marks a new chapter in the region’s journalistic history, promising a permanent, modern and inclusive space for the media community.