Guwahati: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated Assam Bhawan in Bengaluru on Friday.The facility was constructed at a cost of over Rs 71 crore. Sarma said two more Assam Bhawans — one in Dwarka and another reconstructed facility on Sardar Patel Marg in Delhi — would be inaugurated in Nov and Dec, respectively.Speaking at the inauguration, Sarma said the Bengaluru project faced several challenges. He said the building symbolised cooperation between Assam and Karnataka and reflected the state govt’s commitment to Assam’s people.Assam Bhawan, he said, would serve students, patients, govt officials and employees from Assam visiting Bengaluru as a “home away from home”. It will host cultural and community programmes and include a restaurant serving Assamese cuisine.Govt acquired five acres in Bheemanakuppe Cross in 2008 for the project. “However, as the land was classified as agricultural land, the construction project was completely cancelled in 2016. Subsequently, in 2018, when he was serving as Assam’s public works minister, discussions with the Karnataka govt led to the necessary approvals for changing the land classification. Consequently, construction resumed in May 2022, and the building was completed in just three years,” he added.Sarma said Assam Bhawans were currently available in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Shillong, Chennai and Vellore. Land has also been acquired in Delhi’s Sector 17.Construction is underway in Mumbai to replace the facility used by cancer patients, as well as at Mumbai Port and Russell Street in Kolkata. Govt has sought land for new Assam Bhawans in Ahmedabad, Gaya and Pune. Karnataka has also been asked to provide land for an integrated cultural project.Sixteen states have proposed building state Bhawans in Guwahati, and Assam has begun the land-allotment process.Sarma also said investment agreements worth about Rs 5 lakh crore were signed in Assam, with projects worth Rs 4 lakh crore under way. He cited the Jagiroad semiconductor project, Namrup fertiliser plant, Chapar thermal power plant, pumped-storage projects, a satellite city near Guwahati airport, and MRO facilities and a flying school as upcoming employment generators.
