Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has inaugurated the Majuli-Jorhat bridge and its associated highway, aiming to boost development in the Satra hub of Majuli. The ceremony took place at Manika Pathar in the Garmur region of Majuli District.
During his visit, Chief Minister Sarma also initiated and laid the foundation for various projects totaling an investment of Rs 2,218 crore while distributing cheques to 31,952 beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyami Yojana.
Key Projects Unveiled
Among the notable projects inaugurated by the Chief Minister were the academic building and girls’ hostel at Majuli Cultural University, the Integrated District Commissioner’s Office, and the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police. Other projects included a District Transport Officer’s Office, a Government Model Degree College, the Dakshinpat Satra Museum, the Jyoti Bishnu Cultural Complex, and a bridge over the Lohit River at Selekghat.
The academic facility and hostel at Majuli Cultural University were constructed with an investment of Rs 51 crore and are designed to accommodate a total of 2,058 students. The academic building features administrative offices while the hostel provides residential space for 178 female students.
Investments in Essential Infrastructure
The Integrated District Commissioner’s Office was built at a cost of Rs 24.83 crore, and the District Transport Officer’s Office was constructed for Rs 3.57 crore. The Government Model Degree College sprawls across 30 bighas and incurred an expenditure of Rs 33.17 crore, encompassing various academic and residential facilities.
The Dakshinpat Satra Museum, dedicated to safeguarding the area’s cultural heritage, was developed at a cost of Rs 3.64 crore and consists of exhibition rooms and study areas. The three-storey Senior Superintendent of Police office was constructed for Rs 4.20 crore, while the Jyoti Bishnu Cultural project auditorium was established with an outlay of Rs 1.25 crore.
Road Infrastructure Enhancements
Under the Asom Mala 1.0 initiative, the Assam government has upgraded the road connecting Balichapori in Majuli to Bongaonmara in Lakhimpur and constructed two crucial bridges over the Lohit and Subansiri rivers. As part of this initiative, the 702.30-meter Lohit River bridge was also inaugurated. The construction of the Majuli-Jorhat bridge, which had previously been halted, resumed and is expected to be completed by December 11, 2027.
Support for Women Entrepreneurs
During his visit to the Majuli Legislative Assembly constituency, Chief Minister Sarma distributed cheques of Rs 10,000 each to 31,952 women entrepreneurs as seed capital. This initiative marks a significant step in empowering women, with a total of 2,817,857 women across 113 Assembly constituencies receiving support. In a public meeting held at Garmur Manika Pathar, the Chief Minister emphasized that this scheme is intended to help women achieve financial independence and respect within their households.
Focus on Sustainable Development
Chief Minister Sarma highlighted the extensive measures taken by the Assam government in the last five years aimed at uplifting women and assisting economically weaker families. He announced that an additional 2,000 women in the Majuli constituency will benefit from the Orunodoi scheme, reflecting ongoing efforts towards sustainable development. He proclaimed that the changes introduced represent an exceptional period of development for Majuli, enhancing connectivity with areas such as Dibrugarh through improved transportation routes.
Dignitaries in Attendance
The inauguration event also saw the participation of distinguished guests, including Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, Guardian Minister of Majuli Jogen Mohan, and several local MLAs and officials, further underscoring the importance of the projects initiated in the region.