Page 43 - NIS English 1-15 Feb, 2026

Assam – Gateway to the Northeast | NATION

Assam Receives
Development Gifts

n Bhoomi Pujan ceremony held for the
86-kilometer-long Kaziranga Elevated
Corridor project in Kaliabor, costing over
₹6,950 crore.
n This includes a 35-kilometer elevated wildlife
corridor passing through Kaziranga National
Park, along with a 21-kilometer bypass
section and the widening of a 30-kilometer
stretch of the existing National Highway-715 Bagurumba Dwhou Sets a Record
from two lanes to four lanes. The Northeast is now in the heart of Delhi and Prime
n Two new Amrit Bharat Express trains flagged Minister Narendra Modi. This affection was clearly visible
off, running between Guwahati (Kamakhya)- once again when Prime Minister Modi launched development
Rohtak and Dibrugarh-Lucknow (Gomti projects in Assam in mid-January. At this event, the daughters
Nagar). of the Bodo community set a new record with their
performance of Bagurumba. The amazing performance of
n The historic cultural festival of the Bodo Bagurumba, the energy of over ten thousand artists, the
community, "Bagurumba Dwhou 2026," rhythm of the Kham drums, the melody of the Sifung flute
was organized. Over 10,000 artists from the – those captivating moments mesmerized everyone. The
Bodo community performed the Bagurumba experience of Bagurumba resonated from the eyes to the
dance at the event. heart, further strengthening the mantra of ‘Development and
Heritage’. ‘Bagurumba Dwhou’ is not just a festival; it is a
n The Bagurumba dance symbolizes peace, medium to honor the great Bodo tradition.
fertility, joy, and communal harmony and
is closely associated with Bodo New Year Scan the QR code to watch the
festivals like Bwisagu and Domasi. Prime Minister’s full programme

a national park; it is the soul of Assam. It is also a designed keeping in mind the traditional movement
precious jewel of India’s biodiversity. UNESCO has routes of animals such as the one-horned rhinoc-
granted it World Heritage Site status. eros, elephants, and tigers. This corridor will also
improve connectivity between Upper Assam and
WHY WAS THIS PROJECT NECESSARY? Arunachal Pradesh.
Kaziranga is home to the one-horned rhinoceros.
Every year during the monsoon season, when the ASSAM: THE GATEWAY TO
Brahmaputra River swells, the biggest challenge DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTHEAST
arises. Wildlife then seeks higher ground, and in the The development of Assam is opening new doors for
process, they have to cross the national highway. the development of the entire Northeast. Increased
At such times, rhinos, elephants, and deer get rail connectivity brings benefits at both social and
stranded on the roadside. The central government’s economic levels. Therefore, expanding connectivity
effort is to ensure that the road remains functional is crucial for the Northeast. Previously, Assam re-
while the forest and its wildlife remain safe. Under ceived only ₹2,000 crore in the railway budget; now,
this vision, a nearly 90-kilometer-long corridor has this has increased to ₹10,000 crore. This increased
been constructed from Kaliabor to Numaligarh. This investment has led to large-scale infrastructure de-
project will cost approximately 7,000 crore rupees. velopment. The three new train services launched
It will include an elevated wildlife corridor spanning from Kaliabor in January 2026 represent a signifi-
approximately 35 kilometers. The corridor has been cant expansion of Assam’s rail connectivity. n

February 1-15, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 41