The Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment Summit, held in Guwahati, has emerged as a pivotal moment for the northeastern state of Assam, significantly boosting its development prospects. The summit, occurring over two days, witnessed the signing of 114 memorandums of understandings (MoUs) worth approximately ₹1.89 lakh crore, signaling a new era of infrastructure and connectivity advancements.
On Day 1 of the summit, the state’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, elaborated on the significant investments targeting rail and road infrastructure. He highlighted the major announcement by Union Minister of Road Transport, Nitin Gadkari, who unveiled plans including ₹55,179 crore dedicated to various development projects. Sarma pointed out, “So far, we have been discussing various development projects on roads, but we didn’t have any official confirmation from our Union Minister until today.” This marks the beginning of transformative travel between key regions within Assam.
Construction of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor and the much-anticipated Numaligarh Tunnel was also brought to light. Sarma emphasized, “Our goal is to connect Guwahati with every part of Assam within a travel time of five hours.” These enhancements are not just about creating roads; they are about fostering connections between communities, such as the new expressway linking Guwahati and the Barak Valley. This expressway, described as Northeast India's first, aims to drastically reduce travel times, allowing access to Silchar within just five hours.
Railway connectivity remains another focal point. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced multiple projects, including two intercity trains connecting Guwahati with Silchar and Agartala, which will significantly improve regional accessibility. Vaishnaw stated about the project, “The Barak and Brahmaputra rivers have immense potential to facilitate passenger, cargo, and cruise movement.” This highlights not only the development but also the long-term vision of industrial connectivity across the state.
Waterways, too, are receiving substantial attention. Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched plans worth over ₹4,800 crore aimed at revamping Assam's inland waterways, focusing on both economic and environmental sustainability. He mentioned, “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is cruising ahead… The inland waterways play a pivotal role.” Projects include transitioning to green vessels under the 'Harit Nauka' scheme, among various initiatives intended to boost Assam's riverine infrastructure.
Beyond infrastructure, the summit also showcased Assam’s strategic geopolitical significance. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar articulated the Modi Government’s commitment to its 'Act East' policy, positioning Assam as a connective hub to Southeast Asia. He said, “Act East starts with a change of approach by Delhi toward Assam and Northeastern States,” which aims to strengthen regional economic ties. This policy opens doors for enhanced cooperation not just with neighboring nations but also with partners like ASEAN and India’s growing engagement with Japan and South Korea.
This summit and its accompanying initiatives constitute more than mere infrastructure upgrades; they have the potential to transform Assam’s identity and its economic capacity. EAM Jaishankar emphasized the importance of cooperation with ASEAN, showing how Assam can function as the linchpin for India's strategic interests.
CM Sarma reflected on Assam’s past and future, expressing gratitude for support from Prime Minister Modi and the central government. He described the summit's achievements as part of Assam's historic turnaround, highlighting initiatives like the Jagiroad Semiconductor project, which is expected to produce 48 million chips annually, and its planned NRL refinery poised to produce bio-ethanol from bamboo.
He stated, “This summit will create a vibrant… which can contribute meaningfully to the transformation of Viksit Bharat.” Assam’s path toward becoming more self-sufficient is strengthened by active collaboration and comprehensive planning, illustrating commitment to both industrial growth and the wellbeing of its citizens.
Among the diverse participants were diplomats from various countries, corporate leaders, and development experts, all signaling strong interest and confidence in Assam as a burgeoning economic hub. The summit facilitated dialogue, partnerships, and opportunities which will undoubtedly yield dividends for the region.
With the close of the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit, Dr. Sarma and other leaders assure the public of the government’s commitment to carry forward the momentum generated during these two days of intensive discussions. The signed MoUs are poised to ignite transformative projects across all sectors, from transportation to tourism and trade.