Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the state’s significant socio-economic transformation during a media conclave in Guwahati on June 13. The event, held at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan, marked 12 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure and focused on themes of development and public welfare.
Sarma praised the Prime Minister's consistent focus on the region, noting that Modi has visited Assam 36 times over the past dozen years. Reflecting on this engagement, the Chief Minister said, "I had not witnessed any Prime Minister demonstrating such detailed knowledge and continued interest in Assam’s development trajectory."
Economic data shared by the Chief Minister revealed a substantial increase in federal support, with central assistance rising from Rs 1.7 lakh crore between 2006 and 2016 to Rs 5.5 lakh crore in the decade ending in 2026. Sarma reported that Assam’s growth rate reached 45 per cent from 2020 to 2025, outpacing the national average of 29 per cent. He also noted that approximately 80 lakh people escaped poverty during the 2022 to 2023 period, while maternal mortality rates dropped significantly from 480 to 84 per lakh births.
The government plans to bolster regional connectivity through several infrastructure projects, including new national highways connecting Nagaon and Morigaon to Bhutan. Ongoing work includes the Siliguri to Silchar corridor and a planned four-lane road from Baihata Chariali to Mission Chariali. Addressing border security, the Chief Minister confirmed that fencing efforts along the India-Bangladesh border have gained renewed momentum as a national priority to protect citizenship rights.
Beyond economic metrics, Sarma pointed to increased digital inclusion for women and the national promotion of traditional cultural expressions like Bihu. He concluded that while Assam should be measured within its own unique context, the state remains on a consistent and steady upward growth trajectory.
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