Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, February 14, inaugurated and flagged off multiple projects worth over ₹5,450 crore at Lachit Ghat, Guwahati, marking a significant infrastructure push for the city and the wider Northeastern region.
For Guwahati, the announcements span digital infrastructure, higher education, and clean urban mobility, sectors that directly impact the city’s growing population and expanding urban footprint.
National Data Centre at Amingaon: Strengthening Guwahati’s Digital Backbone
One of the key projects inaugurated was the National Data Centre for the North Eastern Region at Amingaon in Kamrup district.
The facility has:
- A sanctioned load of 8.5 MW
- An average rack capacity of 10 kW per rack
- Capability to host mission-critical government applications
- Functionality as a Disaster Recovery centre for other National Data Centres
For Guwahati and adjoining areas like Amingaon and North Guwahati, the data centre positions the city as a regional digital infrastructure hub. It is expected to strengthen the ICT backbone in alignment with the Digital India initiative, ensuring secure and uninterrupted services for government departments across the Northeast.
IIM Guwahati: Boost to Higher Education
The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Guwahati, a development that adds to the city’s growing academic ecosystem.
With institutions like IIT Guwahati already drawing students nationwide, the operationalisation of IIM Guwahati further cements the city’s status as a higher education destination in the Northeast. The move is expected to attract students, faculty, and academic collaborations, contributing to Guwahati’s economic and intellectual growth.
100 Electric Buses for Guwahati
Under the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme, 100 new electric buses were flagged off for Guwahati.
For daily commuters navigating routes such as GS Road, Beltola, Jalukbari, Six Mile, and Paltan Bazar, the addition of electric buses is expected to:
- Improve frequency and availability
- Reduce vehicular emissions
- Lower operational noise levels
- Support cleaner urban mobility
As Guwahati grapples with traffic congestion and pollution concerns, the expansion of the electric fleet is seen as a step toward more sustainable public transport.
What It Means for Guwahati
While the projects are positioned as regional infrastructure upgrades, their immediate impact is strongly felt in Guwahati:
- Enhanced digital resilience through the Amingaon data centre
- Strengthened the higher education ecosystem via IIM Guwahati
- Cleaner and expanded public transport network
In a post on X, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the launch as “ushering in a new era of connectivity and growth” for the region.
For Guwahati residents, the real measure of success will lie in smoother public services, improved mobility, and sustained infrastructure performance in the months ahead.
