Guwahati: In a significant push to infrastructure development and welfare initiatives, the Assam Cabinet has greenlit major land allocations in Guwahati’s Sarusajai area for three flagship projects under the Advantage Assam 2.0 initiative: a 500-bed Medanta Hospital, a 100-bed Women and Child Hospital, and a five-star Lemon Tree Hotel. With an estimated investment of ₹800 crore, these projects are expected to generate around 2,700 jobs.
The decisions were made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.
In a landmark welfare measure, the Cabinet approved ₹342 crore for the Mukhyamantri Eti Koli, Duti Paat scheme, which will provide a one-time financial grant of ₹5,000 each to nearly 7 lakh eligible workers and employees across the state.
In the education sector, the Cabinet cleared land allocation and waived associated charges for the establishment of a National University for Disability Studies in Assam. To be set up by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, this will be the region’s first university dedicated exclusively to research and education in disability studies.
Additionally, ₹357.28 crore has been sanctioned for the development of residential and hostel infrastructure at the Assam Medical College and Hospital. The project includes teachers' and students' quarters, a dining facility, and a community center.
To further widen healthcare access, the Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana will now extend its coverage to employees and dependents of the state's major power corporations.
Under Mission Basundhara 3.0, the government has approved 3,656 land allotments to various public institutions and legal entities.
In a move to accelerate hydrocarbon exploration, the Cabinet has also approved exemptions under the Assam Land Act, enabling direct negotiations between developers and landowners to reduce procedural delays in land acquisition.