Guwahati, Assam: In a significant move towards decongesting the state capital and fostering planned urban growth, Assam’s Minister for Information & Public Relations, Water Resources, and Social Justice, Pijush Hazarika, recently convened a high-level meeting to review the progress of the ambitious Jagiroad Integrated Satellite Township project. The Tuesday meeting, held at Janata Bhawan in Dispur, brought together key stakeholders, including Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) Chairman Narayan Deka, along with senior government officials and urban planning experts. Minister Hazarika meticulously assessed detailed presentations and engaged in thorough discussions concerning the project’s execution roadmap, laying particular emphasis on adhering to timelines, ensuring ecological sustainability, and crucially, integrating local communities, especially the Tiwa tribal population, into the development fabric.
The Jagiroad Satellite Township, a brainchild of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma from 2022, is envisioned as a transformative urban centre sprawling over 2,000 acres in the Morigaon district, approximately 55 km east of Guwahati. This colossal undertaking, estimated at Rs 4,000 crore, incorporates the 550-acre site of the former Nagaon Paper Mill and is receiving substantial financial backing, including a Rs 1,000 crore loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Global urban infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong from Singapore has been tasked with the master planning. The township’s design allocates a substantial 40% of its land for industrial use and 20% for green and open spaces, while also accommodating residential zones, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and dedicated women’s hostels. Furthermore, the blueprint includes provisions for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) facilities, aiming to bolster business tourism and professional engagement in the region.
A cornerstone of this development is the impending Rs 27,000 crore semiconductor manufacturing plant by the Tata Group, anticipated to generate employment for a staggering 27,000 individuals. Complementing this, an Electronics City and a Japanese Industrial Township are also part of the plan, aligning with Assam’s strategic vision to emerge as a global investment hub, a point reiterated by CM Sarma during his recent visit to Tokyo. To propel this vision forward, the Assam government has already earmarked Rs 500 crore for core infrastructure development, including a Rs 111 crore water supply project. Strategic plans are also underway to significantly enhance road and rail connectivity between Guwahati and Jagiroad. The project is set to achieve major completion within three years, with the timeline commencing from 2024. Minister Hazarika, during the review, issued a directive to all involved departments to ensure timely tendering, foster integrated planning, and maintain effective coordination. He further underscored the paramount importance of safeguarding the region’s natural heritage through eco-friendly mobility solutions, providing robust logistics support for vendors, and establishing plug-and-play infrastructure. The Minister unequivocally stated that urbanisation efforts must proceed in tandem with cultural sensitivity and meticulous environmental care.