Jorhat (Assam), September 13 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday described the Integrated Office Building project as an important addition to Assam’s modern administrative infrastructure. He also observed that the District Commissioner’s Office in Jorhat had been functioning from a building constructed during the British era.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for the country to move beyond colonial legacies, he said that the Government of Assam is also taking steps to shift government offices functioning from colonial-era buildings to modern facilities.
The foundation stone of the Integrated Office Building project was laid on December 15, 2022.
The Chief Minister’s remarks came after he inaugurated the newly constructed Integrated Office Building of the District Commissioner, Jorhat, and virtually inaugurated the new building of Luitporiya Mising Higher Secondary School and the hostel of Sivasagar University.
Earlier, he formally dedicated the newly constructed Railway Flyover at Chinamara to the people.
Speaking on the occasion, the Sarma said that four important projects with a combined investment of around Rs. 122 crore have been dedicated to the people of Jorhat and Sivasagar districts, further strengthening administrative, educational and transport infrastructure in the two districts.
The Integrated Office Building of the District Commissioner, Jorhat, has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 49.62 crore on more than 53 bighas of land at Chinamara. The modern integrated facility houses separate branches on different floors to facilitate the smooth functioning of various administrative offices, including the District Commissioner’s Office, Treasury Office, Food and Civil Supplies Branch, Sub-Registrar Branch and Election Branch.
The building is equipped with a 150-seat auditorium, a 60-seat conference hall, a 50-kilowatt solar power system and adequate parking facilities. A three-storeyed residential building has also been constructed for Grade IV employees.
He said that while the old government buildings would no longer be used for routine administrative purposes, their historical significance would be preserved.
In this context, he announced that the old office building of the District Commissioner, Jorhat, would be transformed into a modern museum with the potential to emerge as a tourist attraction.
The Chief Minister said that the transition from colonial-era administrative infrastructure to modern public institutions symbolises the creation of a new chapter in the history of independent India. The new Integrated Office Building, he added, would facilitate the delivery of government services and redressal of public grievances in a more efficient and citizen-friendly manner.
Sarma further announced that another building would be constructed in Jorhat to bring district-level offices of various departments, including Health and Education, under a common administrative framework.
Referring to the Integrated Directorate Building being developed in Guwahati, he said that the Government is working towards accommodating the offices of different departments in a district within two or three integrated complexes. This would also release government land presently occupied by scattered offices for development of public amenities such as parks etc.
On the Chinamara Railway Flyover, the Chief Minister said that the project would eliminate prolonged waiting at the railway level crossing and significantly improve connectivity between Jorhat and the co-district headquarters of Mariani and Titabor.
Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 65.20 crore over the Jorhat-Mariani-Mokokchung Road, the two-lane flyover is 545 metres long and 7.5 metres wide. A 1.5-metre-wide pedestrian footpath has also been provided to enhance the safety and convenience of pedestrians.
Sarma also said that the Chinamara flyover is the fourth major flyover dedicated to the people of Jorhat during the tenure of the present Government.
The three-lane Railway Flyover at Na-Ali was inaugurated on August 16, 2023, followed by the two-lane flyover connecting the Jorhat Medical College area with the northern side of Jorhat-Kamarbandha Ali on April 2, 2025. The Maniram Dewan-Piyali Barua Flyover, connecting Barua Chariali on A.T. Road with the vicinity of Bhogdoi Bridge, was dedicated to the people on March 11, 2026.
Highlighting the Government’s continued focus on strengthening public education infrastructure, the Chief Minister said that the newly constructed building of Luitporiya Mising Higher Secondary School, developed at a cost of Rs. 3.54 crore under Samagra Shiksha, Assam, would facilitate the upgradation of the institution from a secondary school to a higher secondary school.
He said that the Government has undertaken construction of new buildings in 1,100 schools across the State at an estimated cost of Rs. 5,000 crore, with many of these projects already completed. In addition, new buildings for around 500 schools are proposed to be constructed over the next five years at the rate of 100 schools every year.
The Chief Minister said that the Government has committed approximately Rs. 7,500 crore towards the construction of school buildings, describing the scale of investment as unprecedented in Assam’s education sector since Independence. The initiative, he said, would substantially strengthen the infrastructure supporting the State’s education system.
Highlighting the transformation underway in Jorhat, the Chief Minister said that several major development projects have been implemented in the district over the past five years. The Lachit Maidam and Cultural Project, constructed at a cost of Rs. 250 crore, has emerged as a major tourist destination. Swaraj Udyan, developed at a cost of Rs. 159 crore over around 175 bighas of land adjacent to Jorhat Central Jail, has also received positive public response.
He said that a public auditorium is being constructed at Chinamara at a cost of Rs. 20 crore, while a new academic building of Assam’s first women’s university is being constructed at Teok. The Jorhat water supply project is also progressing rapidly. Responding to a proposal of MLA Hitendra Nath Goswami, the Chief Minister announced that beautification works would be undertaken along the banks of the Bhogdoi River.
Sarma said that Assam has undergone significant transformation in recent years and has emerged as one of the leading States in the country. The Government, he said, has focused on creating durable public assets, implementing major infrastructure projects and welfare initiatives, strengthening educational institutions, and bringing administration closer to citizens through the creation of co-districts and new revenue circles.
He also highlighted initiatives such as Mission Basundhara for resolving land-related issues and other measures aimed at making governance more accessible, efficient and responsive to the needs of citizens.
At today's programme, where local MLA Hitendra Nath Goswami delivered the welcome address, Minister for General Administration etc. Keshab Mahanta also addressed the gathering. Minister for Tourism etc. Ajanta Neog, Minister for Education etc. Ranoj Pegu, Minister for Handloom and Textiles etc. Biswajit Daimary, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary etc. Nilima Devi, Minister for Labour Welfare etc. and Guardian Minister of Jorhat district; Rameshwar Teli, MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, several MLAs, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, several distinguished persons, senior officials of the district administration were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister attended the District Commissioners’ Conference, which commenced today at the Jorhat Convention Centre as part of a two-day programme.
It may be noted that this is the first District Commissioners’ Conference following the formation of the new Government.
The conference will deliberate extensively on the overall development of every district of the State, effective resolution of public needs and grievances, revenue administration and public amenities, infrastructure development, law and order, implementation of State and Central Government schemes, and measures to make administration more responsive and people-oriented. (ANI)
“Important addition to Assam’s infrastructure…”: Himanta Biswa Sarma dedicates four major projects worth Rs. 122 crore
