DISPUR : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development works worth around Rs. 6,500 crore in Darrang, Assam. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister congratulated the people of Darrang and Assam on what he described as a “historic day” in the state’s development journey.
The Prime Minister recalled that this was his first visit to Assam after the successful completion of Operation Sindoor. Expressing gratitude for the blessings of Maa Kamakhya, he said he felt a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment upon arriving on the sacred land. Extending greetings on the occasion of Janmashtami, he reiterated his Red Fort declaration of incorporating the idea of the ‘Sudarshana Chakra’ into India’s security strategy.
Describing Mangaldoi as a confluence of cultural pride, historical legacy, and hope for the future, the PM said the region symbolizes Assam’s identity. He also remembered Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika, whose birth anniversary was recently celebrated, and said the dreams of such great sons of Assam are now being pursued earnestly by both Union and state governments.
Highlighting Assam’s rapid economic progress, the Prime Minister said, “India is the fastest-growing country in the world today, and Assam has emerged as one of the fastest-growing states.” He pointed out that Assam, which once lagged behind in development, is now advancing at a growth rate of nearly 13 percent. The PM credited this to the hard work of the people of Assam and the joint efforts of both Union and state governments.
PM Modi noted that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government has been receiving consistent public support, as reflected in the recent panchayat elections where Assam delivered what he termed a “historic victory.”
The Prime Minister underlined that the Union and state governments are working with the vision of making Assam a growth engine of India’s development. He announced that projects worth around Rs. 6,500 crore, including the Darrang Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati Ring Road, and the Kurua–Narengi Bridge, were launched during the programme.
Emphasising the role of the North East in building a developed India, PM Modi said, “The first 25 years of the 21st century have passed. The next chapter belongs to the East and the North East.” He added that after Independence, development was concentrated in western and southern India, while eastern India lagged behind—a situation his government is determined to change.
On connectivity, the Prime Minister said strong infrastructure is key to rapid development. He highlighted achievements in road, rail, and air infrastructure, as well as digital expansion through broadband and 5G. “These improvements have made life easier, boosted tourism, and created new employment opportunities for the youth,” he said.
Contrasting the past with the present, the Prime Minister said that while only three bridges over the Brahmaputra were built in six decades of opposition rule, six new major bridges have been completed in the past ten years. He also laid the foundation stone of the Kurua–Narengi bridge, which will cut travel time between Guwahati and Darrang to a few minutes.
On the Guwahati Ring Road, PM Modi said it will connect five national highways, two state highways, one airport, three railway stations, and one inland water terminal—creating Assam’s first seamless multi-modal connectivity network.
PM Modi recalled his Red Fort announcement about next-generation reforms in GST and said these will be implemented starting from Navratri, nine days from now. GST rates will be reduced on multiple items, benefiting households in Assam and across the country.
The PM announced tax reductions on cement, expensive cancer medicines, and insurance premiums. Automobiles, including motorcycles and cars, will also become more affordable, with motor companies already advertising these benefits. “Every household—from mothers and sisters to farmers, shopkeepers, and youth—will benefit,” he said.
The Prime Minister urged citizens to buy and gift Made-in-India products during the festive season, calling for collective action in strengthening the “vocal for local” campaign.
On healthcare, PM Modi said hospitals were earlier concentrated only in big cities, which made treatment inaccessible and expensive. The government has since expanded the network of AIIMS and medical colleges across the country.
In Assam, dedicated cancer hospitals have been established. The number of medical colleges in India has doubled in the past 11 years—equaling what was built in the six decades after Independence. Assam had only six medical colleges before 2014, but with the inauguration of Darrang Medical College, the state now has 24.
PM Modi announced a target of adding one lakh new medical seats in the next four to five years, saying this expansion will provide opportunities for more youth to become doctors.
Calling Assam a land of patriots and recalling the peasant satyagraha of Patharughat, the Prime Minister said the opposition had aligned with anti-India elements and promoted infiltration for political gain. He said that during their rule, infiltrators were encouraged and even settled on lands belonging to farmers, tribals, and religious institutions.
The Prime Minister said that under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s leadership, large tracts of land have been freed from infiltrators, including in Darrang district. The reclaimed Gorukhuti area has now been converted into an agricultural hub, where local youth, as ‘Krishi Sainiks,’ are cultivating crops such as mustard, maize, urad, sesame, and pumpkin.
PM Modi warned that infiltration posed a serious threat to national security and alleged conspiracies to alter the demographics of border regions. He announced the launch of a nationwide Demography Mission to counter these challenges.
“The rights of India’s farmers, youth, and tribal communities will not be compromised under any circumstances,” he said, asserting that the government will not allow infiltrators to seize control of national resources.
The Prime Minister also underlined the collective responsibility to protect Assam’s heritage while accelerating its development. He reiterated the vision of transforming Assam and the North East into a driving force of a developed India.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal were among the dignitaries present at the event.
