Assam’s CM Reveals Exciting Developments for the Bodo Region

Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, praised Bhutan’s plans to build the Gelephu Mindfulness City near Chirang. He said this project would greatly improve the region’s environment. Sarma also mentioned that a new train route from Guwahati to Gelephu through Chirang will make travel faster, cutting the trip to just two hours.

During a celebration marking five years of the Bodo Peace Accord, Sarma spoke at a public event in Kokrajhar. He celebrated the rich history and vibrant culture of the Bodo community, which he said adds great value to Assam’s heritage.

Sarma announced that the Assam Legislative Assembly meeting will take place in Bodoland on February 17. He emphasized that the recent Bodo Peace Accord in 2020 opened a new path for peace in the area. To support the Accord, the central government plans to introduce a special amendment to the Constitution.

He shared that the region is moving forward, with discussions focused on building roads and schools and improving local infrastructure. Sarma also pledged to help develop the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) and work with its people, inspired by Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma.

Over the last three years, the Assam and BTR governments have worked together well, leading to improvements in road connectivity and recognizing the Bodo language as an official language. He shared that 4,203 former NDFB fighters have been rehabilitated under the Bodo Accord and that a special council would be set up for Bodos living outside Bodoland.

Additionally, he talked about community initiatives that address issues faced by 26 different communities and financial help given to 632 families of martyrs. Sarma praised BTR Chief Pramod Boro for promoting peace in the area.

He also announced that 259 teaching jobs at ten colleges in BTR would be made official, with plans for more schools to follow soon. Moreover, 21 Bodo community products have received special recognition to protect their heritage.

Sarma said a new medical college and hospital in Tamulpur would soon open, and a new stadium in Kokrajhar would be built with a big investment. He expressed gratitude for the development achievements and mentioned that Assam has invested almost Rs 1,000 crore to improve road connections, with an extra Rs 400 crore planned for future projects. He noted that 2,000 out of 6,000 kilometers of roads in BTR have already been completed.

Finally, Sarma reiterated that the construction of the Gelephu Mindfulness City would change the area’s environment and said more details about the new train route would be shared at the upcoming Advantage Assam 2.0 event by Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw.