Assam to Receive Six Additional Gati Shakti Terminals and New Train Services
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Synopsis
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the establishment of six Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals and new train services in Assam during the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit, aiming to enhance economic growth and connectivity in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Six new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals to be developed in Assam.
- Launch of a new semiconductor plant in Assam.
- Introduction of new train services, including Amrit Bharat trains.
- Development of an Electronic Manufacturing Cluster at Bongora.
- International partnerships signed with industry groups for semiconductor growth.
Guwahati, Feb 26 (NationPress) Union Minister of Railways, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw has revealed plans for the construction of six additional Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals, an electronics manufacturing sector, and the launch of new trains in Assam to bolster economic development in the region.
The initiatives are part of the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit taking place in Guwahati.
The upcoming Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals will be established in Chaygaon, New Bongaigaon, Bihara, Hilara, Baihata, and Rangjuli, significantly improving the region's railway network.
To further enhance connectivity, it was confirmed that one Vande Bharat Express is already operational in the Northeast.
Another Vande Bharat Express is set to be launched soon, connecting Guwahati and Agartala, while two Amrit Bharat trains (between Guwahati-Delhi and Guwahati-Chennai) will also commence operations this year, according to the minister.
Additionally, a midlife remanufacturing facility for railway engines will be established in Lumding, and a Wagon Workshop will be built at Bashbari in the Bodoland area at a cost of Rs 300 crore, as announced by the minister.
The development of a Greenfield Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) at Bongora, Kamrup, under the Electronics Manufacturing Scheme, with a project cost of Rs 120 crore, was also shared. Furthermore, the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) has been upgraded to a Deemed-to-be University, with plans for a campus in Jagiroad.
Plans for a new semiconductor plant in Assam were unveiled, emphasizing the state's expanding role in electronics and semiconductor manufacturing. Moreover, it was announced that Guwahati Railway Station would be transformed into a new IT hub, further enhancing the region’s digital infrastructure.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and industrialization, Union Minister Vaishnaw referred to the North East as the New Engine for India's growth.
The Minister pointed out the successful construction of 1,824 km of new railway tracks in Assam and the Northeast since 2014 and noted the commissioning of two Gati Shakti cargo terminals in Assam at Moinarband and Cinnamara.
Vaishnaw stressed the government's intention to enhance connectivity between Assam and Bhutan, creating new economic opportunities.
He reiterated the government's commitment to infrastructure and industrial growth in the North East, expressing confidence that Assam will soon become a significant industrial hub. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma supported this view, acknowledging the central government's ongoing assistance in promoting new initiatives in the state.
The Union Minister expressed hope that Assam will emerge as a key player in the global semiconductor ecosystem.
During the session, the Government of Assam signed MoUs with ten industry groups from the semiconductor ecosystem across Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan, fostering international partnerships and encouraging investment in the state’s burgeoning semiconductor industry.
While discussing India’s impressive advancements in electronics and mobile manufacturing, the Minister highlighted that over 98 percent of mobile phones are now produced domestically.
