Assam Budget 2026-27: ₹550 crore proton therapy centre at GMCH, Guwahati
Synopsis
Assam is set to spend ₹550 crore on a proton beam therapy centre at Gauhati Medical College — potentially making it the first government hospital in India to offer this precision cancer treatment. For a region where patients routinely travel thousands of kilometres for advanced oncology care, this is a significant shift in healthcare access for the entire Northeast.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a ₹550 crore proton beam therapy centre at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on 10 July .
The facility is earmarked in the Assam Budget 2026-27 , presented by Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah .
Proton beam therapy delivers targeted radiation to tumours while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Assam aims to become the first state to offer this treatment in the government healthcare sector .
The project extends Assam's existing cancer care network built in partnership with the Tata Trusts .
The centre is expected to reduce the need for Northeast patients to travel to Mumbai , Chennai , or Delhi for advanced cancer treatment.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday, 10 July announced a ₹550 crore investment to establish a proton beam therapy centre at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), positioning the institution as one of the first government hospitals in India to offer this form of advanced cancer treatment. The announcement followed Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah's presentation of the Assam Budget 2026-27 in the state Assembly.
What Proton Beam Therapy Offers
Proton beam therapy is among the most precise forms of radiation treatment available globally. Unlike conventional radiotherapy, it delivers targeted doses directly to cancerous tumours while significantly limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, thereby reducing side effects and improving patient outcomes. The technology is particularly effective for complex, difficult-to-treat cancers where precision is critical.
What the Chief Minister Said
'Assam will soon become the first state to have proton beam therapy for advanced cancer care in the government healthcare sector. We are investing ₹550 crore for this ambitious plan,' Chief Minister Sarma said, speaking to reporters after the Budget session. He added that the centre at GMCH would make world-class cancer treatment more accessible and affordable for patients across the Northeast.
Context: Assam's Growing Cancer Care Network
The proton therapy project builds on Assam's existing momentum in oncology infrastructure. The state has in recent years established several specialised cancer hospitals in partnership with the Tata Trusts, expanding the reach of quality cancer care beyond metropolitan centres. Sarma described the new facility as the next step in transforming Assam into a leading healthcare hub in eastern India.
Impact on Patients and the Region
Currently, patients from Assam and the broader Northeast requiring advanced cancer treatment must travel to cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, or Delhi — a journey that adds financial and emotional strain to already difficult circumstances. The GMCH centre, once operational, is expected to reduce that burden considerably. Sarma noted that bringing advanced care closer to patients would not only improve survival rates but also ease the economic pressure on families. The proton therapy initiative is one of the flagship healthcare commitments in the Assam Budget 2026-27, which broadly prioritises expanding medical infrastructure and improving public health services statewide.
Point of View
And most in India operate under private or trust-run models. The real question is not the investment figure but the execution timeline and staffing pipeline: proton therapy requires a specialist workforce that India's public sector has historically struggled to retain. If Assam can pair this hardware investment with a credible plan for medical physicists, radiation oncologists, and maintenance contracts, it could genuinely reshape oncology access for the Northeast. If not, the ₹550 crore risks becoming a monument to ambition rather than a functioning clinic.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is proton beam therapy and why is it significant?
Proton beam therapy is an advanced form of radiation treatment that directs high-energy proton beams precisely at cancerous tumours, minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue. It is considered particularly effective for complex cancers and is currently available in India primarily at private or specialised institutions, making a government-run facility significant for public healthcare access.
Where will Assam's proton therapy centre be located?
The centre will be established at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Guwahati, Assam. GMCH is one of the oldest and largest government medical institutions in the Northeast.
How much has the Assam government allocated for this project?
The Assam government has earmarked ₹550 crore for the proton beam therapy facility, as announced in the Assam Budget 2026-27 by Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah.
Who will benefit from the GMCH proton therapy centre?
Patients across Assam and the broader Northeast region stand to benefit. Currently, those requiring advanced cancer treatment must travel to cities like Mumbai, Chennai, or Delhi, incurring significant financial and logistical costs. The GMCH centre aims to make this treatment locally accessible and affordable.
How does this fit into Assam's broader healthcare strategy?
The proton therapy project is part of a wider push to make Assam a healthcare hub in eastern India. The state has already set up several cancer hospitals in partnership with the Tata Trusts, and this investment represents the next tier of oncology infrastructure in the public sector.
