Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Assam for a two-day programme starting January 17, featuring a rich blend of cultural events and major infrastructure announcements. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma briefed the media after a Cabinet meeting in Guwahati, stating that the visit and its detailed itinerary were extensively discussed by the council of ministers. Modi is expected to arrive in Guwahati on the evening of January 17 and attend a grand Bagurumba dance performance at Sarusajai Stadium, showcasing between 8,000 to 10,000 artistes.
Foundation-Laying of Elevated Corridor Through Kaziranga National Park
The next day, the Prime Minister will travel to Kaliabor in Nagaon district to address a public rally at Mouchanda field. A major highlight of his visit will be the foundation-laying ceremony of a 34.5-kilometer elevated corridor stretching from Kaliabor to Bokakhat, passing through the Kaziranga National Park. This ambitious project, approved by the Union Cabinet with a budget of Rs 6,957 crore, is the largest infrastructure investment of its kind in Assam. The elevated corridor aims to reduce wildlife fatalities caused by vehicles, especially during the floods when animals cross highways seeking higher ground. Land acquisition for the project is complete, and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is finalizing the tender process.
Improved Connectivity and Reduced Travel Time
Once finished, the elevated corridor will dramatically cut travel time for commuters traveling between Guwahati and Upper Assam regions such as Jorhat and Sivasagar. Currently, vehicles take about 1 hour and 15 minutes to cross the Kaziranga stretch due to speed restrictions. The new corridor will reduce this to just 20 minutes, offering a faster, safer option. The existing road through the national park will remain open, providing travelers with alternate routes.
Launch of New Train Services and Administrative Approvals
In addition to infrastructure, Modi will flag off two new train services from Kaliabor, connecting Dibrugarh to Gomti and Guwahati to Rohtak. He will also inaugurate the first Vande Bharat sleeper train running between Kolkata and Guwahati from a neighboring state on January 17, effectively bringing three new train services to Assam in two days. Meanwhile, the state Cabinet approved several administrative decisions, including allotting one bigha of land in Guwahati to the Bodo Sahitya Sabha for a multi-purpose project and approving land allotments under Mission Basundhara 2.0.
