Assam Assembly complex in Dibrugarh to be ready in 30 months: CM Sarma
Synopsis
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has personally inspected the Dibrugarh Assembly complex site and locked in a 30-month deadline — a concrete signal that the state's second capital project is moving beyond blueprint. With only 20% of piling done and design changes already being suggested, the real test is whether the timeline survives the weather, the ground realities, and the scale of ambition packed into 63 bighas.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma inspected the Assam Legislative Assembly complex at Khanikar, Dibrugarh on 14 October 2026 .
The project is spread across 63 bighas and is expected to be completed within 30 months .
Approximately 20% of piling work is complete; boundary wall construction is underway.
The complex will include a three-storey Assembly building , a nine-storey MLA hostel , auditorium, secretariat block, and barracks.
Sarma also inspected the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex , directing contractors to fix safety and infrastructure deficiencies; seating capacity is proposed to rise from 5,000 to 35,000 .
The complex is central to the state's plan to develop Dibrugarh as Assam's second capital .
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, inspected the ongoing construction of the Assam Legislative Assembly complex at Khanikar in Dibrugarh, reaffirming a 30-month deadline for project completion. The complex is a centrepiece of the state government's ambition to develop Dibrugarh as Assam's second capital.
Project Status and Scale
Spread across approximately 63 bighas of land, the complex is still in its early stages. Officials informed Sarma that around 20 per cent of the piling work has been completed and that construction of the boundary wall is progressing. The Chief Minister discussed weather-related challenges with executing agencies and reportedly suggested modifications to the building's front elevation and overall architectural design.
According to the approved master plan, the complex will include a three-storey Assembly building, a nine-storey MLA hostel above the ground floor, an auditorium, a secretariat block, and barracks. Internal roads, parking facilities, and landscaped green spaces are also part of the blueprint.
What the Chief Minister Said
'The construction of the Assam Legislative Assembly complex in Dibrugarh is an important step towards developing the city as the state's second capital,' Sarma said during the inspection, reiterating the 30-month completion target. The proposed infrastructure is designed to accommodate full legislative proceedings and support facilities for legislators and officials as Dibrugarh transitions into a secondary administrative hub.
Sports Complex Concerns Flagged
Later in the day, Sarma also inspected the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex at Khanikar and reviewed concerns relating to infrastructure quality and safety. Journalists accompanying the Chief Minister flagged issues including steep and narrow steps in the spectator galleries, sanitary fitting deficiencies, inadequate swimming pool temperature control, poor lighting, water-level management problems, and leakage from the indoor stadium's roof.
Sarma directed the officials concerned and contractors to address the reported deficiencies and undertake corrective measures. The stadium currently holds approximately 5,000 spectators, with a proposal to expand its capacity to around 35,000.
Bigger Picture: Dibrugarh as Second Capital
The twin inspections signal the state government's accelerating push to build Dibrugarh's administrative and public infrastructure from the ground up. This comes amid broader efforts under the Sarma administration to decentralise governance eastward, reducing dependence on Guwahati as the sole seat of state power. If the 30-month timeline holds, the Assembly complex could be operational by early 2029, potentially hosting legislative sessions outside Guwahati for the first time in the state's history.
Point of View
The 30-month deadline looks ambitious. Assam has a history of infrastructure projects that outlive their announced timelines, and a project of this scale — one that must also survive heavy monsoon seasons — deserves scrutiny on execution, not just announcements. The sports complex inspection, where journalists had to point out basic structural deficiencies to the Chief Minister, also raises questions about quality oversight on state-run projects more broadly.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Assam Legislative Assembly complex being built in Dibrugarh?
It is a major state infrastructure project at Khanikar, Dibrugarh, spread across 63 bighas, designed to house a three-storey Assembly building, a nine-storey MLA hostel, an auditorium, a secretariat block, and barracks. The complex is the centrepiece of Assam's plan to make Dibrugarh the state's second capital.
When will the Dibrugarh Assembly complex be completed?
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has set a 30-month completion deadline, reaffirmed during his inspection on 14 October 2026. If the timeline holds, the complex could be operational by early 2029.
How much of the construction has been completed so far?
As of 14 October 2026, approximately 20% of the piling work has been completed and construction of the boundary wall is in progress. The Chief Minister also suggested changes to the front elevation and architectural design during the inspection.
Why is Dibrugarh being developed as Assam's second capital?
The Assam government under Chief Minister Sarma aims to decentralise governance and reduce the state's dependence on Guwahati as the sole administrative hub. Dibrugarh, located in eastern Assam, is being developed with both legislative and public infrastructure to serve this role.
What issues were found at the Dibrugarh Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex?
During the inspection, journalists flagged problems including steep and narrow spectator gallery steps, sanitary fitting deficiencies, swimming pool temperature control issues, inadequate lighting, water-level management concerns, and roof leakage in the indoor stadium. Sarma directed contractors to undertake corrective measures.
