Beyond Kokrajhar: Assam's ₹40,000 Cr Power Project Finds New Home

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced the launch of a major thermal power project in the state, with an investment of ₹40,000 crore to establish a 3,000 MW plant. Two land parcels in Dhubri and Goalpara districts have been identified for the project, and the foundation stone is expected to be laid by November.

Initially, Kokrajhar was considered for the project due to its potential to attract substantial investment. However, the plan was shelved after criticism from various groups, who alleged that the government was attempting to "take away tribal land."

Despite this shift, the project is expected to create over one lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities, supporting Assam’s broader goals for industrial and infrastructure development.

The Chief Minister also revealed that Kokrajhar was originally proposed to host a high-value project comparable to the ₹26,000 crore Tata semiconductor unit being developed in Jagiroad. While the thermal project has moved locations, Sarma noted that the 4,000-bigha land in Kokrajhar, currently inhabited by only about 80 families, could still be used for public institutions such as hospitals or colleges in the future.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.