The Assam cabinet has recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into floods that began in Sivasagar and Charaideo around July 19, while also approving a 2,000-acre defence manufacturing park in Jagiroad and five ropeway projects across the state.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state government would send a formal request to the CBI within the next 10 days. He added that accepting the recommendation and conducting the investigation would be a decision for the Centre and the investigating agency.
The proposed inquiry will examine the root causes of the flooding in Sivasagar and Charaideo. The cabinet’s decision places the causes and management of the floods under scrutiny, although the report does not specify the terms of reference for the proposed investigation or the agencies and infrastructure systems that would be examined.
The cabinet also approved a defence manufacturing and production park at Jagiroad, spread over approximately 2,000 acres. The land will be transferred to the industries department. The state may acquire some private land after discussions with landowners, according to the report.
Sarma said the initiative was intended to attract investment in defence manufacturing and help Assam participate in India’s expanding defence production sector. The state plans to organise roadshows to attract anchor investors capable of manufacturing different defence products. The cabinet did not announce specific investors, project costs or an implementation timeline in the information reported.
For urban and regional mobility, the cabinet approved the formation of a joint venture company called the Ropeway Development Authority. The Centre will hold 51% equity in the company and Assam will hold 49%. The projects will be developed under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer model, with private agencies executing them with government support through viability-gap funding.
The five approved ropeway routes are Kamakhya railway station to Kamakhya Temple, Khanapara to Guwahati railway station, Ganganagar to Bhuvan Pahar Mahadev Temple, Hampiopet Peak to the Jatinga Bird Watching Tower, and Agnigarh to the Bhairabi Temple. The projects are intended to connect railway access, religious destinations and visitor attractions, although the cabinet announcement reported by the Times of India did not provide construction schedules, capacities or estimated costs.
User charges for the ropeways will be fixed jointly by the Centre and the state. The financing structure means that the projects will depend on a combination of public equity, private execution and viability-gap funding, with the final user-cost framework yet to be announced.
Separately, the cabinet amended the Assam Civil Services (Conduct) Rules following notification of the Uniform Civil Code and presidential assent. Government employees found guilty of entering into a polygamous marriage will face dismissal, with the conduct treated as major misconduct.
The next stated step on the flood inquiry is the Assam government’s formal request to the CBI within 10 days. Further details on the ropeway tenders, land transfer for the Jagiroad park and the proposed investigation will determine how the cabinet decisions move into implementation.
