Dibrugarh to become Assam’s second capital; India-EU trade deal opens zero-tariff access for Assam tea, says Shah
BuzzBytes
New Delhi,
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the new building of the Assam Legislative Assembly at Dibrugarh and carried out the ground-breaking and inauguration of five major projects with a combined cost of about ₹1,715 crore.
The event was attended by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Shah said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced in 2025 that Dibrugarh would be developed as Assam’s second capital to ensure inclusive growth. “In opposition governments, many announcements remained on paper. Today, that announcement has translated into action with the laying of the foundation stone of Assam’s second Legislative Assembly complex on 57 bighas of land,” he said, adding that residents of Dibrugarh would now also be considered residents of the state capital.
Shah said the move reflected the government’s commitment to inclusive development, asserting that all castes, communities and tribes living in the region have an equal stake in Assam’s progress. “Together, we will build a great Assam,” he said.
Referring to flood management, the Home Minister described Assam’s rivers as the cultural heritage of the state and the economic lifeline of farmers. He said the Ministry of Home Affairs, based on a survey conducted through the Space Application Centre, had identified large wetlands to mitigate floods. “In the first phase, ₹692 crore has been spent to develop 15 wetlands. This will protect around 7.5 lakh people from floods, irrigate nearly 77,000 hectares of land, reduce flood intensity and improve groundwater levels,” he said.
He added that these wetlands would support multi-crop farming, boost animal husbandry and the dairy sector, and also be developed for water sports and tourism.
Highlighting global trade opportunities, Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently signed a free trade agreement with the European Union. “The biggest benefit of this deal will go to Dibrugarh. Assam’s tea will now reach from Paris to Berlin with zero tariff,” he said.
Shah alleged that previous governments failed to prioritise Assam’s development, while under the Modi government the state has been given priority across sectors such as infrastructure, railways, waterways, airports, wildlife conservation, environment and emerging industries including semiconductors. “Assam and the North-East live in the heart of Prime Minister Modi,” he said.
On security, the Home Minister said decades of violence, bomb blasts and insurgency had harmed Assam’s youth in the past. “Since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, over 10,000 youths across the Northeast have laid down arms under more than 20 peace agreements, making Assam and the region more secure,” he said, adding that peace and development have replaced conflict.
He also accused opposition parties of neglecting tea garden workers and said the Assam government passed the Land Holding Amendment Act in 2025, making more than three lakh Santhal, Kol, Bhil, Munda and Bengali workers from 825 tea gardens landowners. Shah also noted that the biography of Ahom general Lachit Borphukan has been translated into 23 Indian languages.
On the issue of infiltration, Shah claimed that the Assam government had freed about 1.26 lakh acres of land from encroachers and asserted that demographic change would be firmly checked. “Only our government can stop infiltration and protect Assam’s future,” he said.
Citing economic growth, Shah said Assam’s Gross State Domestic Product had increased from ₹4.1 lakh crore to ₹7.2 lakh crore in the last five years. He claimed that youth incomes had risen by up to 50 per cent compared to earlier periods marked by unrest.
The Home Minister also inaugurated the first phase of a world-class Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex in Dibrugarh, built at a cost of ₹238 crore on 106 bighas of land. The complex includes an indoor stadium, swimming pool, football ground, tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, hostels for players and accommodation for coaches. He also laid the foundation stone for the second phase of the complex, estimated at ₹209 crore.
Additionally, Shah laid the foundation stone for a housing project for Assam legislators and a Wildlife Research Institute in Dibrugarh, to be built at a cost of ₹292 crore. The institute will focus on disease surveillance, research, diagnosis, genetic studies and capacity building, and will also cater to avian research.
At the outset of his address, Shah paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary, recalling his role in awakening the nation and securing freedom for India.
