Union Minister of Railways, Electronics & IT, and Information & Broadcasting Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw participated in the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit in Guwahati today, announcing transformative projects to boost Assam’s railway and IT sectors. Emphasising the North East as the New Engine for India’s development, Shri Vaishnaw unveiled plans for a new semiconductor plant in Assam, positioning the state as a key player in electronics manufacturing. He also announced the transformation of Guwahati Railway Station into an IT hub, reinforcing digital infrastructure in the region. Highlighting infrastructure advancements, the Minister noted that 1,824 km of new railway tracks have been constructed in Assam and the North East since 2014. He announced the commissioning of two Gati Shakti cargo terminals in Assam at Moinarband and Cinnamara, with six more terminals set for development at Chaygaon, New Bongaigaon, Bihara, Hilara, Baihata, and Rangjuli to enhance freight connectivity. To improve railway services, he confirmed that one Vande Bharat Express is operational in the Northeast, with another soon to connect Guwahati and Agartala. Two Amrit Bharat trains between Guwahati and Delhi, and Guwahati and Chennai, will commence operations this year. He also announced a railway engine midlife remanufacturing facility in Lumding and a Rs 3 billionWagon Workshop in Bashbari, Bodoland. Shri Vaishnaw underscored the government's commitment to boosting connectivity between Assam and Bhutan, unlocking new economic opportunities. Reinforcing the Bodo Agreement, he reiterated support for the Bodoland region with the establishment of the Wagon Workshop. On India’s strides in electronics and mobile manufacturing, the Minister highlighted that over 98% of mobile phones are now produced domestically. He announced the creation of a Greenfield Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) at Bongora, Kamrup, under the Electronics Manufacturing Scheme, with a project cost of Rs 1.2 billion. Additionally, the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) has been upgraded to a Deemed-to-be University, with a new campus planned in Jagiroad. Shri Vaishnaw reaffirmed the government’s vision to position Assam as an industrial hub, with Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma echoing confidence in Assam’s emergence as a key player in the global semiconductor industry. During the summit, the Assam government signed MoUs with 10 semiconductor industry groups from Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan, strengthening international partnerships and attracting investment to the state’s growing semiconductor ecosystem