Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is currently in London on a two-day visit, where he visited the city’s famous waterfront. His aim is to study successful riverfront models being adopted around the world to make Guwahati’s riverfront more attractive, modern, and sustainable. The Chief Minister’s visit comes just days after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the Brahmaputra Riverfront – Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan on November 7th. Sharing his first day in London, Sarma wrote on social media, “We are revitalizing Guwahati’s riverfront and learning from global best practices. Meanwhile, I also met with the Indian community in London.”
Guwahati’s Changing Face: Three Major Riverfront Parks and New Beautification Projects
Guwahati is already home to three major riverfront parks—the Brahmaputra River Heritage Centre, the Brahmaputra Riverfront, and the recently inaugurated Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan. Developed at a cost of ₹327 crore (approximately $1.2 billion), this modern riverfront project in Uzanbazar spans 1.2 kilometers, stretching from the New DC Bungalow to Kachari Ghat. The park features a 15-meter-wide boulevard, beautifully landscaped walkways, a cycling track, an open gym, modern children’s play areas, and special gateways showcasing Assamese culture. The project aims not only to enhance beautification but also to bring city residents closer to the river, maintain environmental balance, and strengthen Guwahati’s cultural identity.
Preparations to Bring the Vrindavani Vastra Back to Assam
Chief Minister Sharma’s visit to London is also significant in light of another historic step. The Assam government is set to sign a significant agreement with the British Museum, under which the sacred 16th-century Vrindavani Vastra will be brought to India for six months. This priceless silk cloth was crafted under the guidance of the great sage Srimanta Sankardev and is considered extremely important from a religious and cultural perspective. Sharma wrote, “Tomorrow will be a big day for Assam and India. We will sign an MoU with the British Museum, bringing the Vrindavani Vastra back to Assam. Development and heritage are the foundations of our government.” The Chief Minister’s visit is primarily intended to advance the process of returning this historic textile.
A dedicated museum will be built in Khanapara, preserving cultural heritage.
The Assam government is developing a state-of-the-art museum in Khanapara to showcase and preserve the Vrindavani Vastra. This museum will be equipped with climate-controlled facilities to ensure the preservation of this over 400-year-old silk textile in a safe environment. The government believes that it is not just a religious or artistic treasure, but a symbol of Assam’s identity and cultural heritage. This heritage conservation initiative, along with the riverfront development work in Guwahati, reflects the government’s comprehensive approach—one in which modernity and cultural pride go hand in hand. Chief Minister Sharma’s visit to London strengthens this vision, so that Guwahati not only becomes a developed urban centre but also establishes its cultural identity at the global level.
