Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a major infrastructure push in Assam, unveiling projects aimed at transforming connectivity across the Northeast while balancing environmental protection. At a public event in Kaliabor, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the ambitious Kaziranga Elevated Corridor and flagged off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains, marking a significant milestone in the region’s transport development.
The initiatives form a key part of the Centre’s strategy to integrate the Northeast more closely with the rest of the country through modern road and rail networks. Addressing a large gathering, PM Modi said improved connectivity would unlock economic opportunities, boost tourism, and ensure faster movement of people and goods, while also safeguarding Assam’s natural heritage.
The Kaziranga Elevated Corridor, spanning 86 kilometres, has been designed with a strong focus on wildlife conservation. A substantial portion of the highway will run as an elevated structure through the Kaziranga landscape, allowing animals to move freely across their natural corridors. The project also includes bypass routes and the expansion of existing highways to reduce congestion, cut travel time, and improve road safety for commuters.
Once completed, the corridor is expected to ease travel to Upper Assam, including key destinations such as Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. By diverting traffic away from crowded towns and sensitive forest zones, the project aims to reduce accidents and human-animal conflict, while supporting the region’s growing transport demands.
In addition to the road project, PM Modi flagged off two Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Assam with northern India. The new services will link Kamakhya with Rohtak and Dibrugarh with Lucknow’s Gomti Nagar, offering faster and more comfortable rail travel. These trains are expected to strengthen people-to-people ties and enhance economic integration between the Northeast and other parts of the country.
The Prime Minister’s Assam visit also featured a cultural celebration, where he witnessed a massive performance of the traditional Bodo Bagurumba dance in Guwahati, highlighting the Centre’s emphasis on showcasing and preserving the region’s rich cultural identity alongside development.
