Mumbai, Sept. 4 -- The Assam Cabinet approved the framework to implement a Rs 500 billion (Rs 500 bn) development package announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Independence Day. The seven-year programme will target education, social infrastructure, sports, housing and public amenities and is scheduled to commence in 2027. The cabinet sanctioned the framework to mobilise funds and oversee constituency and district level projects across the state. Implementation will be phased up to 2034.
The package allocates Rs 7 billion (Rs 7 bn) for upgrading nearly 1,000 high schools and provides for 6,000 new Anganwadi centres to replace older facilities and improve services for children and mothers. The programme also incorporates an earlier pledge of Rs 0.15 million (Rs 0.15 mn) per beneficiary for construction of houses for tea garden workers. A substantial share of projects will be focused on public infrastructure and constituency level development.
The plan envisages two women-focused markets in every Assembly constituency, a stadium in each constituency and additional stadiums at district level, and an auditorium in every constituency. Several constituency projects have been included to deliver local amenities and boost community facilities. The government intends to begin project works from 2027 with rolling implementation across districts.
Of the total, about Rs 300 billion (Rs 300 bn) is to be mobilised through NABARD under a memorandum of understanding approved by the cabinet, while roughly Rs 200 billion (Rs 200 bn) will be funded from state resources largely through enhanced revenue collection. Projects will be taken up in phases and overseen by state agencies to ensure coordinated delivery. The programme is designed to integrate education, health, sports and housing interventions over the period to 2034.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.