Ashwini Vaishnaw Unveils Major Railway and IT Initiatives at Advantage Assam 2.0

Guwahati: Union Minister for Railways, Electronics & Information Technology, and Information & Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced a series of transformative projects aimed at bolstering Assam’s railway and IT infrastructure during the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit held in Guwahati.

Emphasizing the government’s vision for the North East as a “New Engine” of India’s growth, Vaishnaw unveiled plans for a new semiconductor manufacturing plant in Assam, positioning the state as a key player in India’s electronics and semiconductor sector. Additionally, he announced that Guwahati Railway Station will be converted into an IT hub, strengthening digital infrastructure in the region.

On the railway front, Vaishnaw highlighted the construction of 1,824 km of new railway tracks across Assam and the North East since 2014, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity. He also announced the commissioning of two Gati Shakti cargo terminals at Moinarband and Cinnamara, along with the development of six additional cargo terminals at Chaygaon, New Bongaigaon, Bihara, Hilara, Baihata, and Rangjuli. These projects are expected to significantly boost freight movement and economic activity in the region.

Further strengthening railway connectivity, the Minister confirmed the operation of one Vande Bharat Express in the Northeast, with another soon to link Guwahati and Agartala. He also announced the sanctioning of two Amrit Bharat trains—one connecting Guwahati to Delhi and another to Chennai—both of which will be operational this year. Additionally, he revealed plans for a railway engine midlife remanufacturing facility in Lumding and a Wagon Workshop at Bashbari in Bodoland, with an investment of ₹300 crore.

Vaishnaw also stressed the government’s intent to enhance connectivity between Assam and Bhutan, unlocking new economic opportunities. He reaffirmed the commitment to the Bodoland region’s development, aligning with the Bodo Agreement, through the establishment of the Wagon Workshop in Bashbari.

Discussing India’s rapid advancements in electronics and mobile manufacturing, Vaishnaw pointed out that over 98% of mobile phones are now produced domestically. To further accelerate this sector, he announced the establishment of a Greenfield Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) at Bongora, Kamrup, under the Electronics Manufacturing Scheme, with an investment of ₹120 crore. He also revealed that the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) has been upgraded to a Deemed-to-be University, with plans to establish a new campus in Jagiroad.

Expressing confidence in Assam’s potential to emerge as a major industrial hub, Vaishnaw reiterated the central government’s commitment to infrastructure and economic development in the region. Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma acknowledged the Centre’s continued support, expressing optimism about the state’s growing role in the global semiconductor industry.

Strengthening international collaborations, the Government of Assam signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 10 industry groups from the semiconductor sector across Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan in the presence of Vaishnaw, marking a crucial step towards global investment in Assam’s semiconductor ecosystem.