Cabinet approves ₹50,000 crore infra plan
The Assam cabinet has approved an investment of ₹50,000 crore over five years for the 'Viksit Assam: Infra Vision' scheme, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Sunday after a cabinet meeting. Sarma said the investment would cover primary healthcare, schools, anganwadi centres, housing for tea garden workers, power, roads, women markets and hostels, besides flood embankments.
"The state cabinet has approved pumping in ₹50,000 crore for 'Viksit Assam: Infra Vision'. Under this scheme, we will be developing various infrastructures across the state," he said.
Other cabinet decisions
Sarma said the cabinet also approved the allotment of 1,174 bighas of land in Kamrup Metropolitan and Nagaon districts to the Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprises Department for developing industrial estates and land banks. The government will allot 27 bighas in Rangajan Gaon in Dhemaji district to the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department for setting up a milk project.
To improve the ease of doing business, the cabinet approved the Assam Trade Articles Order, 2026, which abolishes the requirement of retail selling licences for petroleum products. It also approved an amendment to the Industrial and Investment Policy of Assam, 2019, to include Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities as an eligible industrial activity for fiscal incentives under the Assam Vehicle Scrappage Policy, 2022.
The cabinet extended the one-time window for determining the market value of tea gardens or tea land for calculating stamp duty and registration fees on conveyance deeds, along with the one-time SOP valuation mechanism.
The cabinet also approved a ₹300-crore project by Fermbox Bio Pvt Ltd at Tezpur in Sonitpur district and an integrated 30 MW solar power and 25 MW Battery Energy Storage System project at Rakhyasini Jungle Block in Goalpara district. An amount of ₹155.98 crore was sanctioned for construction of a rail overbridge near Hawaipur station and a bypass road connecting Kheroni Chariali in West Karbi Anglong with NH-27 at Bamungaon. The project is expected to ease congestion in Lanka town.
The cabinet approved ₹110 crore for infrastructure development at Gauhati University during 2026-27 to complete several pending works, Sarma said.
Relief and welfare measures
Sarma also announced several welfare measures. He said 'masur dal' would be made available to National Food Security Act ration card holders at ₹70 per kg and sugar at ₹35 per kg. Beneficiaries of the Orunodoi scheme in flood-hit Sivasagar and Charaideo districts would receive ₹2,000 this month, instead of the usual ₹1,250, while beneficiaries in other districts would receive ₹1,200. The state government will provide the initial relief of ₹15,000 to the remaining flood-affected families on September 1.
Week of major initiatives
In a separate statement on Monday, Sarma highlighted a series of major government initiatives announced or advanced over the past week, ranging from the ₹50,000 crore infrastructure investment vision to expansion of cancer care, job creation, sports facilities and international air connectivity. Describing it as a "week of big moves and bigger possibilities," Sarma said the developments would contribute to Assam's long-term economic growth while expanding opportunities for its people.
"A week of big moves and stronger possibilities for Assam. A Rs 50,000 crore infrastructure vision. A major leap in cancer care. New jobs, world-class sports facilities and a direct flight to Bangkok," he said in a post on X.
Sarma underlined the government's focus on healthcare, particularly cancer treatment. The state has been working to expand specialised medical facilities and improve access to advanced cancer care, aiming to reduce the need for patients to travel outside the Northeast for treatment. The government has also been focusing on attracting investments and expanding economic activity to create new opportunities for the state's growing workforce.
The mention of a direct flight to Bangkok underlined Assam's growing international connectivity. Improved air links with Southeast Asia could strengthen tourism, trade, business and people-to-people exchanges while reinforcing Guwahati's position as a gateway to the Northeast.