Guwahati, Feb 25: Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to harnessing connectivity as the lifeline of progress.
Speaking at the thematic session “I-Way to Viksit Assam” during the Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit in Guwahati, Dr Sarma emphasized that Assam is ready to take a leading role in the country’s digital transformation with the full support of the Government of India.
The Chief Minister outlined his vision to expand Assam’s cyber footprint and strengthen digital infrastructure. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for ushering in an era of rapid digital advancement and reiterated Assam’s determination to keep pace with this evolution. Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia was present on the occasion.
Highlighting the growing demand for high-speed data, Dr Sarma referred to Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani’s announcement of an AI-enabled data centre in Assam and a similar initiative by HDFC. He urged the Union Minister to explore the feasibility of bringing optical fibre from the Bay of Bengal via the Brahmaputra, a move he described as a game changer for reliable, high-speed data connectivity in the state.
With Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms shifting from Tier-1 cities to emerging hubs, Dr Sarma projected that cities like Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Jorhat will see a surge in BPO operations within the next two to three years, further amplifying the need for robust digital infrastructure.
Reflecting on the Prime Minister’s decade-old Digital India Mission, the Chief Minister lauded the initiative’s transformative impact on empowering citizens through technology. He revealed Assam’s ambitious plan to connect 25,250 villages with optical ffibre urging the Union Minister’s support to expedite the project for the benefit of farmers and rural entrepreneurs.
He said the state government is taking bold steps to bridge the digital divide, expand last-mile connectivity, and make telecom services more accessible.
The Chief Minister also spotlighted Assam’s growing prominence in the tech and manufacturing sectors. He mentioned the upcoming semiconductor facility in Jagiroad and Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran’s interest in setting up a Rs. 30,000 crore mobile manufacturing unit, which would create substantial employment opportunities for Assam’s youth, reducing the need to migrate to other states in search of jobs.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, in his address, highlighted Assam’s immense potential as a growth driver for the nation. Given its strategic location, he said Assam is not just a gateway to ASEAN but a crucial link to the entire Global South, with the potential to become a manufacturing and logistics powerhouse. With the state’s rapid progress, he emphasized Assam’s critical role in achieving the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat.
The event was attended by IT Minister Keshav Mahanta, Special Chief Secretary Sayedain Abbasi, Nokia India Country Head Tarun Chhabra, President of Mobile Business and Devices at Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. Sunil Dutt, CMD BSNL A. Robert J Ravi, and other dignitaries.
EOM
