Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Friday that the state government is acquiring approximately 500 bighas (166 acres) of land near Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati for a state-of-the-art stadium, a convention centre modeled on Bharat Mandapam, and an entertainment zone inspired by Universal Studios. Refuting media reports, Sarma emphasized that the projects are entirely government-led, with no involvement from the Adani Group or other industrial houses, and urged the media to stop misleading the public about corporate takeovers.

Speaking at a press conference, Sarma clarified that the land acquisition targets genuine landowners willing to sell, with no evictions planned. “We aim to safeguard this land for Assam’s people and boost the concert economy with modern facilities,” he said, addressing concerns raised by a July 27 notice under the Assam Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1964, which sparked protests from over 100 Assamese families in Azara, Garal, and Mirzapur fearing displacement. The CM assured transparent transactions to counter claims of favoritism toward conglomerates like Adani, which manages the airport but has no role in these projects.

Sarma also unveiled the third edition of the Orunodoi scheme, set to launch on September 17, 2025, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. The initiative will provide Rs 1,250 monthly to 40 lakh women beneficiaries, up from 28 lakh in Orunodoi 2.0, with Aadhaar-linked payments. In August, panchayat representatives and district officials will distribute books and letters from the CM to confirm selections. A new pilot, Orunodoi Plus, will offer an additional Rs 250 LPG subsidy to eligible beneficiaries starting January 2026, with Indian Oil Corporation facilitating direct bank transfers.

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Additionally, Sarma announced the second phase of the Nijut Moina scheme, launched in October 2024 to curb child marriage by supporting girls’ education. From August 6, forms will be distributed to eligible students from higher secondary to postgraduate levels in government institutions, now extending to those in central universities like Tezpur and Assam University. The scheme addresses the high dropout rates among girls post-Class 10, often leading to early marriages.

The announcements come amid scrutiny of Assam’s land policies, with opposition parties like Assam Jatiya Parishad alleging favoritism toward corporates in projects like the Dhubri thermal power plant and Dima Hasao land allocations. Sarma has dismissed such claims, emphasizing development for indigenous communities and citing measures like the 2024 Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Amendment, which protects land near heritage sites. As protests persist, the government faces the challenge of balancing ambitious infrastructure goals with local concerns over displacement and cultural heritage.

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