Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit Assam once again on January 30, barely a month after his previous visit, underlining the Centre’s renewed focus on the state. The announcement was made by Assam’s Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika, who reviewed preparations for the visit in Dibrugarh. During this visit, Shah will lay the foundation stone of Assam’s second Legislative Assembly complex and inaugurate multiple flood mitigation projects. The visit is expected to draw massive public attention, with estimates suggesting that nearly one lakh people could attend the public meeting Shah is scheduled to address. The frequency of Shah’s visits reflects the strategic and political importance Assam holds, especially as the state prepares for long-term administrative and infrastructural expansion.
Dibrugarh’s New Role as Assam’s Second Capital
A key highlight of the visit is the foundation laying of the second Legislative Assembly complex in Dibrugarh, a move closely linked to the state government’s decision to develop the city as Assam’s second capital. According to Hazarika, once Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced Dibrugarh’s new status, the need for a full-fledged Assembly complex became inevitable. The project is not limited to the Assembly building alone. The government has also planned a ministers’ colony, an MLA residential complex, and an official residence for the Speaker. These facilities will be constructed in phases, ensuring systematic urban development. The move is seen as a major administrative decentralisation effort, aimed at improving governance reach in Upper Assam while also boosting Dibrugarh’s profile as a political, economic, and infrastructural hub in the region.
Flood Mitigation Through Ponds and Reservoirs
Another major focus of Shah’s visit will be flood mitigation, a long-standing challenge for Assam. Hazarika recalled that nearly two years ago, Amit Shah had proposed the creation of large ponds and reservoirs as a way to manage excess water during monsoon floods. Initially, the idea faced scepticism, but subsequent departmental studies and detailed discussions revealed its potential effectiveness. By storing excess water during peak floods, these ponds and reservoirs could help lower the water level of the Brahmaputra, thereby reducing flood intensity. The stored water can later be used for irrigation, adding an agricultural benefit to the project. As a pilot initiative, 14 ponds and reservoirs are being taken up with a sanctioned amount of just under Rs 7 crore. Construction will begin in districts like Dibrugarh, Sadiya, and Jorhat, and Shah will inaugurate all these projects centrally on the same day.
Debate, Expansion Plans, and Continuity of Development
The pond-based flood mitigation model is part of a broader vision outlined by Amit Shah in June 2024, when he proposed creating around 50 large ponds across the Northeast. While the proposal drew criticism from some experts, who argued that restoring existing beels and natural water bodies should be prioritised, the Assam government believes both approaches can work in parallel. The current 14 projects are being seen as a test case, whose success could shape future flood control strategies. Shah’s upcoming visit also builds on his December 29 tour, when he inaugurated several major infrastructure and cultural projects, including the Jyoti–Bishnu Antarjatik Kala Mandir, a new Police Commissionerate building, and an integrated command and control centre to strengthen urban security. Together, these initiatives signal sustained Central support for Assam’s development, with Dibrugarh emerging as a focal point of administrative reform, infrastructure growth, and innovative solutions to long-standing problems like flooding.
