Guwahati, Apr 28: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday inaugurated two newly constructed flyovers in Dibrugarh city — one at Convoy Road and another at the junction of the old National Highway 37, connecting Thana Chariali and Chowkidingee Chariali.
At the inauguration ceremony, the Chief Minister announced that the Convoy Road flyover has been named after Dr Lila Gogoi, a prominent writer and educator, while the flyover between Thana Chariali and Chowkidingee Chariali has been named in honour of noted poet Nilmani Phookan.
Sarma highlighted the government’s focus on the development of Dibrugarh district and mentioned that foundation stones have been laid for four additional flyovers in the city. These include projects at Mancotta Road (Rs 83.62 crore), Amolapatty Chariali (Rs 157.73 crore), the Lahowal-Bordubi-Tinsukia junction with old NH-37 (Rs 71.52 crore), and Lezai Kalakhowa Road (Rs 62.15 crore). He stated that the Public Works Department has completed the preparatory processes for the construction of these flyovers.
The Chief Minister said that infrastructure development efforts are being intensified across Assam, including plans for an underwater tunnel across the Brahmaputra River, an elevated corridor through Kaziranga National Park, and a new economic corridor. He also stated that the national highway connecting Guwahati and Dibrugarh is expected to be completed within the year.
Sarma further announced that Dibrugarh has been granted the status of Assam’s second capital. Construction of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, the Assam Secretariat, a new Legislative Assembly building, a 1,500-capacity hall, residential quarters for legislators, and a 100-bedded Circuit House is set to begin in September. Legislative Assembly sessions will now be held twice a year, alternating between Guwahati and Dibrugarh.
Additionally, a stadium with a seating capacity of 35,000 will be built at Khonikor, and an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer will be appointed as Commissioner of the Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation.
On the industrial front, Sarma said efforts are underway to revive the Namrup Fertiliser Plant and establish a new fertiliser unit with central support. He also announced that Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) will set up a methanol plant at Namrup with an investment of Rs 700 crore, which is expected to boost industrial growth in the region.
The Chief Minister added that Rs 100 crore has been allocated to Dibrugarh University to strengthen the educational infrastructure.
The event was attended by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister Prasanta Phukan, Minister Rupesh Gowala, MP Rameswar Teli, MLAs Binod Hazarika, Ponakan Baruah, Chakradhar Gogoi, Taranga Gogoi, Assam Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Rituparna Baruah, Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation Mayor Dr Saikat Patra, Dibrugarh University Vice Chancellor Professor Jiten Hazarika, and senior officials.
