Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Assam on January 17 and 18, 2026, inaugurating a series of infrastructure projects with an outlay of thousands of crores, ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. This visit underscores the central government's commitment to the development of Assam and the Northeast region by enhancing connectivity and promoting economic growth.
The Prime Minister's itinerary includes a cultural celebration featuring the traditional Bodo folk dance, Bagurumba, with approximately 10,000 artists participating at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati.
A key highlight of the visit will be the "bhoomi pujan" (ground-breaking ceremony) for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project, valued at over ₹6,950 crore. This 86-km-long project is an environmentally conscious national highway initiative. It includes a 35-km elevated wildlife corridor through the Kaziranga National Park, a 21-km bypass section, and the widening of 30 km of the existing NH-715 from two to four lanes. The project aims to improve regional connectivity while ensuring the protection of the park's rich biodiversity. The corridor will pass through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, and Golaghat districts, significantly improving connectivity to Upper Assam, especially Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. The elevated wildlife corridor will ensure the uninterrupted movement of animals and reduce human-wildlife conflict, while also enhancing road safety, reducing travel time and accident rates, and supporting growing passenger and freight traffic. Bypasses will be developed at Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat to decongest towns, improve urban mobility, and enhance the quality of life for local residents.
In addition to the Kaziranga project, PM Modi will flag off India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train between Howrah and Guwahati. He will also flag off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains: Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Rohtak and Dibrugarh-Lucknow (Gomti Nagar). These trains will enhance affordable and reliable long-distance rail connectivity for common citizens, students, migrant workers, and traders, strengthening inter-state economic and social linkages.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will feature ergonomically designed cushioned berths, advanced suspension systems, noise-reduction technology, automatic doors, and a modern Passenger Information System. The 16-coach rake will have a total passenger capacity of 823, including AC three-tier, AC two-tier, and First Class AC coaches.
The Prime Minister's focus on Assam's railway infrastructure is evident through various ongoing and sanctioned projects, including the Lumding–Dibrugarh doubling, the New Saraighat rail-cum-road bridge (targeted for completion by 2029), an elevated corridor between Azara and Kamakhya, a third line between Kamakhya and New Guwahati, and the 69-km Kokrajhar–Gelephu (Bhutan) new line sanctioned in September 2025.
These initiatives align with the vision of enhancing connectivity as the backbone of inclusive growth. Indian Railways has also strengthened rail heritage conservation efforts by establishing the Railway Heritage Park and Museum at New Tinsukia. Furthermore, there are plans for an IT hub at Guwahati railway station, a locomotive remanufacturing facility in Lumding, a wagon unit in Basugaon, and six new Gati Shakti cargo terminals in Assam. Electrification of the rail network is also a priority, with about 95% of the state's rail network already electrified.
PM Modi's visit and the launch of these projects signal a strong push for infrastructure development in Assam, which is expected to boost the state's economy and improve the lives of its citizens.
