HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, March 13: Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma performed Bhumi Pujan of ‘Unity Mall’, at ATPO complex in Betkuchi on Wednesday. The mall will be built involving an outlay of Rs 298 crore.
It may be noted that the Unity Mall is a brain child of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who seeks to promote the concept of ‘Ek Bharat Shresht Bharat’ through promoting ‘Made-in-India’ products. In July last year, the government decided to implement this project and the bhumi pujan by chief minister Sarma will tantamount to turning the project in to reality in Assam.
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It may also be mentioned that Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the budget of 2023-24 that all the states will be encouraged to set up a ‘Unity Mall’ in their state capitals, or most prominent tourism centers, or financial capitals for promotion and sale of their own ‘one district, one product’, GI products and other handicraft products.
In Guwahati, the ‘Unity Mall’ is being built under Part-VI of the scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24 in the backyard space presently available in the complex of Maniram Dewan Trade Centre with an area of land measuring 18,259.3 sqmt that is 13.64 Bigha.
The chief minister after performing the Bhumi Pujan said that the mall will help in displaying Assam’s indigenous handicrafts and GI tagged products. It will also increase their patronage. He also said that the mall will also have designated areas for all districts and other states to display and sell their unique creative works. The Mall will also showcase Made-in-India products. Moreover, the auditorium and amphitheatre to be featured in the mall will also enable the entrepreneurs to engage in discussion with regard to their products and trades and enhance their business proposition. The yoga and meditation centres in the mall will also address wellness aspects of the entrepreneurs, the chief minister added.
The unity mall will have 35 commercial stalls for states/union territories (Except Assam) with adequate and uniform stalls. There will be 35 commercial stalls for 35 districts of Assam with adequate as well as uniform stall size. There will be provision for food courts, special for Assam and other state cuisine outlets.
Minister industries and commerce Bimal Borah, MP Queen Oja, additional chief secretary Ravi Kota, secretary chief minister’s secretariat, industries and commerce Lakshmanan S, and host of others were present on the occasion.
