Assam Minister for Information & Public Relations, Water Resources, and Social Justice, Pijush Hazarika, chaired a high-level review meeting on Tuesday at Janata Bhawan, Dispur, to assess the progress of the Jagiroad Integrated Satellite Township project. This transformative urban development initiative is designed to decentralize growth from Guwahati, Assam’s increasingly congested capital.

The review meeting was attended by Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) Chairman Narayan Deka, senior government officials, and urban planning experts. The discussions focused on reviewing the execution roadmap through detailed presentations. Minister Hazarika emphasized the critical need for timely implementation, environmental sustainability, and the inclusion of local communities, particularly the Tiwa tribal population native to the region.

The Jagiroad Integrated Satellite Township, proposed in 2022 under the vision of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, is being developed on over 2,000 acres of land in the Morigaon district, approximately 55 kilometers east of Guwahati. This area includes the 550-acre premises of the defunct Nagaon Paper Mill. The total estimated project cost is Rs 4,000 crore, with financial support that includes a Rs 1,000 crore loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Global urban infrastructure and planning firm Surbana Jurong from Singapore has been appointed as the master planner for the township. As per the township’s design blueprint, 40% of the land will be dedicated to industrial purposes and 20% will be reserved for green and open spaces. The township will also incorporate residential zones, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and special hostel facilities for women. Furthermore, it will include infrastructure for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), which is aimed at boosting business tourism and professional networking in the region.

One of the key anchors of the Jagiroad development is the upcoming Rs 27,000 crore semiconductor manufacturing plant by the Tata Group. This facility alone is expected to create around 27,000 jobs. The township will also include an Electronics City and a Japanese Industrial Township, reflecting Assam’s larger vision of becoming a hub for global investments. This goal was reiterated by Chief Minister Sarma during his recent visit to Tokyo, where he promoted Assam as an attractive destination for foreign investors.

To ensure the success of this ambitious project, the Assam government has already sanctioned Rs 500 crore for essential infrastructure, including a Rs 111 crore water supply project. Strategic initiatives to enhance road and rail connectivity between Guwahati and Jagiroad are also underway. The primary phase of the township’s development is scheduled for substantial completion within three years, beginning in 2024.

During the meeting, Minister Hazarika called on all concerned departments to ensure timely tendering, integrated planning, and close coordination. He stressed the importance of balancing urban development with ecological preservation and cultural sensitivity. Hazarika also proposed eco-friendly mobility solutions, logistics support for vendors, and plug-and-play infrastructure to promote ease of doing business and sustainable growth in the region.