Himanta inspects proposed Assam cultural site in New Delhi

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday inspected the site earmarked for the proposed Assam Cultural-cum-Convention Centre and Naamghar at Dwarka Sector 17 in New Delhi.

The proposed project is aimed at fulfilling the long-standing aspiration of the large Assamese diaspora residing in Delhi-NCR and neighbouring areas by creating a dedicated cultural and community space in the national Capital.

Speaking to the media after the inspection, the Chief Minister said that the Government of Assam will establish a Naamghar — the Neo-Vaishnavite community prayer hall introduced by Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhavdeva — along with a modern Assam Cultural-cum-Convention Centre.

The proposed complex will serve as a vibrant hub for the Assamese community, providing a common platform to celebrate festivals, marriages, organise cultural, literary and social events, and strengthen the cultural bond among Assamese people living away from their home State.

It may be recalled that during his meeting with the then Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Anil Baijal, on September 5, 2021, the Chief Minister had requested allotment of land for setting up the cultural centre and Naamghar. The subsequent allotment of land has paved the way for the project, which will further strengthen Assam’s cultural presence in the national Capital.

Sarma said construction of the Assam Cultural-cum-Convention Centre is expected to begin in January next year. The Centre will house a Naamghar on the top floor and a multipurpose hall capable of accommodating around 300 to 400 people for community gatherings, social functions and cultural events.

Later, the Chief Minister inspected the newly constructed Assam House at Dwarka Sector 13, which is nearing completion and will be inaugurated shortly. The foundation stone of the new Assam House was laid by the Chief Minister on April 22, 2023.

Constructed on a 1,000 square metre plot with a total built-up area of approximately 30,000 square feet, the building comprises a three-basement, ground plus four-floor (3B+G+4) structure built at an estimated cost of `21.66 crore.

The new Assam House has been designed to cater to the growing needs of people from Assam visiting the national Capital. A large number of patients from the State travel to Delhi regularly for specialised medical treatment, while a sizeable number of students pursue higher education in the city. The facility will provide them with comfortable, affordable and convenient accommodation.

The building will house one VVIP suite, 18 guest rooms, 13 dormitory beds, one two-bedroom (2 BHK) unit and two one-bedroom (1 BHK) units for resident staff. It will also feature modern amenities including a cafeteria, reception and lounge, kitchen, common toilets, passenger lifts, car lifts and adequate parking facilities.

Reviewing the progress of the project, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction. He noted that while the old Assam House on Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi Marg had been reconstructed a few years ago, the existing Assam Bhawan on Sardar Patel Marg is being redeveloped and a modern new facility is coming up in its place.

The Chief Minister announced that both the new Assam House at Dwarka and the redeveloped Assam Bhawan on Sardar Patel Marg will be inaugurated on or before Durga Puja this year. He also said that the Karbi Bhawan and Dimasa Bhawan at Dwarka are at various stages of construction and will further enhance facilities for people from the State visiting the national Capital.

Speaking on similar initiatives outside Delhi, Sarma said the old Assam House at Russell Street in Kolkata has been demolished and will be replaced with a new 90-room facility, while the Assam House at Salt Lake will also be reconstructed. He further informed that the Assam House in Bengaluru will be inaugurated later this year and that a new plot has been acquired from the Port Authority for the construction of a new Assam House in Mumbai.

The Chief Minister said that the new Assam House at Dwarka, the redeveloped Assam Bhawan on Sardar Patel Marg, the proposed Assam Cultural-cum-Convention Centre and Naamghar, and similar projects in other metropolitan cities reflect the Government of Assam’s commitment to providing quality facilities for patients, students, visitors and the Assamese diaspora while preserving and promoting the State’s rich cultural heritage across the country.

Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, Resident Commissioner Kavitha Padmanabhan and senior officials of the Public Works Department were present during the inspection.