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Guwahati: “The Brahmaputra is the soul of Assam, and a new Assam will be built around this river,” said Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while praising the development and beautification works along the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati today.
Sitharaman made the remarks after inaugurating the ₹327-crore Brahmaputra Riverfront Project at Uzanbazar. Speaking at the event, she said that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is working with a vision for the next 100 years of Assam’s future.
The Finance Minister highlighted that the riverfront offers all essential urban amenities for citizens, including dedicated spaces for cyclists, senior citizens, children’s parks, and outdoor gym facilities.
She said the most remarkable aspect of the project is that “in the name of development, the long-standing fish market has not been removed, and arrangements have been made for fishermen to continue fishing in the Brahmaputra.”
Sitharaman praised the Assam government for ensuring that urban development does not negatively impact the lifestyle of local residents. She added that the state has successfully balanced cultural preservation with modern infrastructure, giving traditional institutions like satras and namghars due respect while delivering new-age facilities to citizens.
The Finance Minister also mentioned ongoing projects such as ferry terminal construction in Majuli, Aphlamukh, Umananda, and North Guwahati under the Inland Waterways programme, and Assam’s efforts to strengthen the waterway route from Karimganj to Bangladesh.
She further stated that Assam ranks first nationally in the effective and planned use of funds under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.
Nirmala Sitharaman is currently on a two-day visit to Assam, during which she is scheduled to attend multiple official programmes.
