Assam Chief Himanta Sarma inspects new projects, inaugurates AAC block unit in Tinsukia

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Tinsukia Medical College and Hospital in Tinsukia district. He also took stock of the progress of several ongoing projects and inspected sites earmarked for proposed infrastructure projects in the district.

Sarma visited various departments of Tinsukia Medical College and Hospital. He took stock of the infrastructural facilities and human resources of the medical college. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the expanded dialysis unit at the Medical College and Hospital.

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Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the ongoing construction of the 1,000-seat town hall and auditorium complex in Tinsukia town and reviewed the progress of the work. He suggested that a state-of-the-art sound system be installed in the auditorium so that the people get to enjoy high-quality sound facility.

Sarma also visited the proposed site for the inter-state bus terminus project, Sarbananda Singha Stadium at Borguri in Tinsukia, and the proposed site for the Swargadeu Sarbananda Singha Sammanaya Kshetra at Lonpuria Bengali Gaon. At Sarbananda Singha Stadium, he interacted with athletes who were practising there.

Moreover, the Chief Minister visited the transit campus of Ed Tech Skill University and saw an art exhibition presented by the students of the institution.

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The Chief Minister said that discussions would be held with the authorities concerned to address the issues related to Tinsukia Medical College and improve the facilities available there. He said that Sarbananda Singha Stadium would be reconstructed and that discussions on that front have already held as a part of his visit.

Sarma, who is on a two-day visit to Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, today inaugurated a green Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) block manufacturing unit established by Lightbricks Private Limited, a constituent of the KD Group of Industries, at Hapjan in Tinsukia. The project has been established on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during Advantage Assam 2.0.

It may be noted that during Advantage Assam 2.0, an agreement was signed between the Government of Assam’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department and the KD Group for the establishment of an AAC block manufacturing unit. Developed with an investment of approximately Rs. 55 crore, the project is considered the largest private-sector manufacturing investment in Tinsukia district in the past 15 years. With an annual production capacity of 2 lakh cubic metres, the unit will be capable of replacing approximately 10 crore conventional red bricks every year.

Sarma said that the AAC block manufacturing unit would help conserve agricultural land by reducing the use of conventional red bricks. He said that, for the first time in Asia, AAC block manufacturing technology incorporating an in-built grid has been used in Tinsukia plant. The unit will manufacture AAC blocks using this innovative technology. Pointing out that similar units have already been established in Rangia and Silchar, the Chief Minister said that the new AAC block manufacturing unit in Tinsukia would meet the construction sector’s demand in Upper Assam as well as in Arunachal Pradesh.

He said that the unit would provide direct employment to approximately 80 people, while another 75 workers would be employed through contractors. In addition, more than 500 people, including suppliers, vendors and retailers, would benefit from indirect employment opportunities.

Referring to the Advantage Assam Investment and Infrastructure Summit held in Assam in February 2023, the Chief Minister said that investment commitments amounting to Rs. 5.18 lakh crore were received at the summit. Through this initiative, the State Government has received investment proposals across several sectors, including energy, infrastructure, hydrocarbon production, electronics, tourism, healthcare, food processing, textiles and skill development.

He stated that investment proposals have so far translated into implementation across several sectors, including Rs. 2.86 lakh crore in hydrocarbons and petrochemicals, Rs. 97,840 crore in the energy sector, Rs. 55,572 crore in infrastructure, Rs. 53,353 crore in mining, Rs 44,948 crore in electronics and information technology, and Rs 26,799 crore across various manufacturing sectors. The Chief Minister further stated that projects worth Rs. 3 lakh crore out of the total Rs. 5.18 lakh crore in investment commitments have advanced to the implementation stage.

He informed that work has been underway on the expansion of Numaligarh Refinery’s capacity from 3 million metric tonnes to 9 million metric tonnes, at an estimated cost of Rs. 28,000 crore. He said that work on a plant capable of producing ethanol from bamboo was also progressing at full pace.

The Chief Minister said that construction of the Tata Semiconductor project, involving an investment of Rs. 27,000 crore, has reached its final stage. Similarly, work on the fourth unit of the Namrup fertiliser plant, with an investment of Rs. 10,600 crore, is progressing rapidly. He also noted that companies such as Pepsi has started setting up manufacturing units in Assam.

Terming the inauguration of the Tinsukia unit as the fulfilment of another investment commitment received during Advantage Assam 2.0, Chief Minister Sarma said that Upper Assam offered significant opportunities for industrialisation. He expressed hope that the people of Upper Assam would welcome industries and help create a conducive environment for industrial development, enabling the State Government to attract more industries to the region.

He stated that industrial growth would accelerate if business houses and entrepreneurs are provided with a favourable working environment, improved law and order condition. The Chief Minister said that industrialisation creates employment opportunities, strengthens the economy and accelerates the overall development of the State.

Referring to the cooperation extended by local residents during the construction of the semiconductor project at Jagiroad and the Rs. 50,000-crore thermal power project at Chapar, he said that industrialisation could become a reality only when local communities extended their wholehearted support.