HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, March 14: Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday attended a Vikas Yatra rally at Sualkuchi, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of developmental projects worth a total of ₹153 crores covering the Jalukbari legislative assembly constituency (LAC).
Sarma laid the foundation for the up gradation of the current 30-bedded FRU at Sualkuchi to a 100-bedded hospital at a cost of ₹45 crore, the infrastructure development and up gradation of North Guwahati College, Pandu College, Pub Bongshor College, Saraighat College, Sualkuchi Budram Madhab Satradhikar College at an expenditure of ₹75 crores with each of the educational institutions receiving an amount of ₹15 crores and a host of road infrastructure development projects. Some of the projects that were inaugurated by the chief minister are the renovated swimming pool at Sualkuchi, the extended entrance gate to Sualkuchi and others
Speaking on the occasion, CM Sarma said, “The projects that were either inaugurated or launched today shall contribute towards fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the residents of Jalukbari LAC in days to come. The 100-bedded hospital at Sualkuchi on becoming operational shall be of great help in filling up of the healthcare services gap in the Jalukbari LAC area. Residential quarters will be constructed for doctors and nurses in the vicinity of the hospital premises. All modern healthcare facilities such as ultrasonography and CT scan are available at the hospital. The infrastructure development of colleges will also usher in positive outcomes in the educational ecosystem in the legislative assembly constituency.”
The chief minister said the construction works of the upcoming Sualkuchi Stadium is underway and it will be completed this year. Construction activities of another stadium at Bongshor are also going ahead. The foundation stone for the much-anticipated Sualkuchi-Palashbari bridge over the Brahmaputra river is also expected to be laid within a short span of time.
Sarme said, “When I became a member of legislative assembly (MLA) of the Jalukbari LAC for the first time in 2001, the socioe-conomic scenario of the area provided a grim and shoddy picture. The constituency has witnessed much development as compared to two years back. It is rare to see educational institutions such as AIIMS, National Forensic Science University, National Law University and Judicial Academy to be concentrated in a single LAC. We need to have a 25-year development strategy for Jalukbari.”
State health minister Keshab Mahanta, along with a host of senior officials of the government, were present.