Ashwini Vaishnaw Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology attended the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit at Guwahati on February 25, 2025 and delivered a talk during one of the session.
Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma along with senior ministers of Assam was present during the session. The General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway Shri Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction) Arun Kumar Chaudhary and senior railway officials were also present.
The Railway Minister announced several new initiatives and projects related to the Railway and IT industries which will be a huge boost to development in Assam and said the Northeast is the ‘New Engine’ of Development of India.
A new mega railway workshop will be established in Basbari, Bodoland, fulfilling a key commitment under the Bodoland agreement while accelerating industrial growth. Additionally, a dedicated mid-life reconstruction facility for locomotives will be set up in Lumding to enhance railway operations and maintenance.
He further said Guwahati Railway Station is undergoing a major transformation into a world-class facility, incorporating a 12-storey IT park to foster technological innovation and employment. Assam will also see the introduction of two Amrit Bharat Trains within the next 10 months, along with two new intercity train services connecting Guwahati to Silchar and Agartala.
To enhance railway connectivity and operational efficiency, the strategic Chicken Neck corridor will undergo quadrupling work. Moreover, the Kokrajhar – Gelephu railway project will establish a vital railway link between India and Bhutan, facilitating trade and connectivity. Six new Gati Shakti terminals have been sanctioned to optimize freight movement and logistics efficiency across the region.
Railway Minister also announced that the IT and electronics sectors are also set to receive a major boost, with plans for another new semiconductor hub in Assam to promote self-reliance in semiconductor manufacturing.
Furthermore, an advanced electronics manufacturing hub will be developed in Kamrup district in Assam, generating employment and fostering industrial expansion.
It may be mentioned that the Gross Budget Allocation for Railway infrastructure projects in Northeast for the FY 2025-26 is Rs. 10,440 crores. It is more than 5 times as compared to average budget allocation of Rs. 2,122 crores during 2009-14.
These railway and IT related initiatives reaffirm the government’s commitment to accelerating economic growth in Assam and the Northeast, ensuring improved connectivity, industrial advancement, and job creation.
