In a significant move to transform the landscape of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 13, 2026, virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth over ₹4,570 crore. Originally scheduled to visit Kokrajhar in person, the Prime Minister performed the ceremony via video conferencing from Guwahati after heavy rains forced a last-minute change in travel plans. The centerpiece of this developmental push is the “Assam Mala 3.0” road initiative, a ₹3,200 crore project aimed at constructing over 900 kilometers of high-quality roads to bridge the gap between rural hinterlands and national highways. Additionally, the Prime Minister dedicated nearly ₹1,100 crore toward critical urban infrastructure in the BTR, including the construction of four flyovers and two bridges designed to de-congest Kokrajhar and improve access to essential healthcare and agricultural markets.
The infrastructure blitz also marked a major milestone for Indian Railways in the Northeast. The Prime Minister flagged off three vital train services—the Kamakhya-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, the Guwahati-New Jalpaiguri Express, and the Narangi-Agartala Express—extending the region’s reach to Southern India, West Bengal, and Tripura respectively. To ensure the long-term sustainability of this expanded network, the foundation stone was laid for a new Periodic Overhauling (POH) Workshop at Bashbari. This facility is expected to serve as a hub for railway maintenance and a significant source of local employment. As Assam prepares for its upcoming assembly elections, these projects underscore a broader strategy to position the Northeast as India’s “Ashtalakshmi” (eight forms of Lakshmi), driving growth through enhanced mobility, tourism, and energy security.
