The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development works in Kokrajhar, Assam, via video conferencing from Guwahati after inclement weather prevented an in-person visit. He apologised to the assembled citizens and paid homage to regional leaders such as Bodofa Upendranath Brahma and Roopnath Brahma. He framed the large public turnout as a responsibility to be repaid through service and regional development.

He highlighted the preservation of Bodo language, heritage and traditions and noted that spiritual practices such as Bathou and festivals such as Baisagu strengthen the nation’s cultural fabric. The central government was presented as committed to preserving heritage while pursuing rapid progress through infrastructure investment. Projects totalling Rs 45.7 billion (bn) were announced, with Rs 11 billion (bn) earmarked for enhancing the road network in Bodoland as part of the third phase of the Asom Mala campaign.

He noted recent rail initiatives to boost regional mobility and referenced the launch of new express services and plans for a railway workshop. The proposed rail link to Bhutan and station modernisation were said to position Kokrajhar as a logistics hub, and the stoppages of premium express services in Kokrajhar were pointed to as markers of rising status. Improved transport infrastructure was expected to ease farm access to larger markets and stimulate trade and tourism.

He observed that the region had endured decades of conflict but conveyed that peace and development are now taking root and traditional instruments such as the kham and sifung are being heard again. The Bodo Peace Accord and a policy of permanent stability were presented as milestones, and institutions such as Bodoland University and the Central Institute of Technology were cited as evidence of delivery. A special development package of Rs 15 billion (bn) was reported as deployed, the Bodo language has been elevated to Associate Official status and the integration of 10,000 former insurgents into the mainstream was highlighted. He urged continuation of land reclamation efforts and accelerated progress towards a developed Assam.