Guwahati: Stadium near airport to boost concert economy & tourism: CM Sarma

Guwahati: In a significant announcement aimed at revitalising Assam's tourism and entertainment sectors, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday unveiled plans to develop land surrounding the Guwahati airport into a major tourism and entertainment hub, with a strong focus on tapping into the state’s growing concert economy.

Addressing the media at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur, the Chief Minister said the state government envisions building a Bharat Mandapam-inspired stadium alongside a world-class convention centre to host major conclaves and concerts from across the Eastern region. “We plan to build a stadium that will boost the concert economy in Assam. Along with this, we will develop amusement parks like the ones in Singapore, but tailored to our very own Assam model,” Sarma said. The proposed development will also include a Universal Studios-style entertainment park, hotels, wedding venues, and various tourist attractions, all under the direct execution of the state government.

Clarifying concerns regarding land acquisition near the airport, Sarma stated, “Every time we evict people, there's a perception that we're handing land over to private developers. But in a few years, people will see that it's the government putting it to use, for forests or other public projects.” He emphasised the government’s focus on accelerated project completion, made possible by liberal financial support from the Centre. “Our morale is high. We aim to complete and inaugurate several development projects in the coming months,” he said.

The Chief Minister also confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Assam on September 8 to participate in the birth centenary celebrations of cultural legend Bhupen Hazarika. During his visit, PM Modi is expected to inaugurate several key infrastructure projects, including, Numaligarh Refinery Expansion, Guwahati Ring Road, Kuruwa-Narengi Bridge, Mangaldai Medical College

In addition to tourism and infrastructure, the CM announced that Orunodoi 3.0, Assam’s flagship direct benefit transfer scheme, will be rolled out on September 17, benefiting 40 lakh people. A new opt-out portal has been launched for beneficiaries who have since secured government jobs and wish to exit the scheme voluntarily. He also shared that the Nijut Moina scheme, which promotes women’s education, will be extended to include students of Tezpur University, Silchar Central University, and provincialised colleges across the state.

This multi-pronged development push underlines the government's efforts to position Assam as a modern economic and cultural powerhouse in the Northeast.