Assamese say that their Chief Minister, other leaders and the Assamese people have got an opportunity to be remembered, not just for developing Assam but also helping Bhutan.
I am surprised. It’s been just three hours and I have reached Bongaigoan, Assam, from Samdrup Jongkhar. There was a time when it used to take six hours. Yes! The roads have improved. Of late, there is hope of more development in the air, especially in the Bodo dominated areas. And the source of that hope is, as said by a tea seller at Bongaigoan, “the double bulb that will shine on Assam – the Assam government’s own development plans and Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC).”
Gopinath, who introduced himself as a contractor, based at Bongaigoan is filled with hope. “Our Chief Minister (CM) recently announced that our Assam will complement your GMC. We will progress together and we look forward to it.” He says that under CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam has progressed. I tell him that apart from the roads, I sincerely do not see any signs of robust development. Rangia is nothing different from what it was a decade back; Barpeta Road is the same; so are Bongaigoan, Kokjrajhar and areas under the Bodoland Autonomous Region. “You have to look beyond the highways,” he says. “And one day, you will see the entire stretch of Assam from Daranga district till Gelephu become one big city.”
Goswami, waiting to catch a bus to Guwahati from Bongaigoan speaks about media reports during Advantage Assam 2, held at Guwahati in February 26, 2025. “Prime Minister Modi and several leaders came, which showcased the government’s concerns and love for Assam. Our Chief Minister spoke about GMC and how it will help Assam. Even today, we depend on Bhutan and you depend on us. With GMC, the relation between Assam and Bhutan will become very important. And we have full confidence in our Chief Minister and the Central government.”
Barua, at Santabari, from where Bhutanese go to Gelephu from the Indian highway says all border towns of Bhutan and Assam would have developed drastically if not for militancy. “But we have a saying that the past shouldn’t be thought about. Apart from development within Assam, we expect huge benefits from GMC. Santabari is only about 40 kms from Gelephu and 60 kms from Bongaigoan. With the six lane highway that the Chief Minister said would be constructed, we can even go to work in Gelephu and drive home,” he says. “Similarly, people can use the trains for the same purpose.” According to Barua, people in Assam have already begun preparing on how they can play a role in GMC and benefit. “We need to know more details. Just now, we know that the international airport construction will begin soon.”
An old woman selling tea says something in their dialect and Barua translates to me. “She says there will be thousands of workers in GMC and she might get the opportunity to sell tea; thousand cups a day,” Barua laughs, adding that the woman is also contemplating moving to Kokhrajhar, as the railway project would begin.
Phukanani, a man who had been listening to us joins the conversation. He introduces himself as an entrepreneur and says his surname is connected to one of Assam’s freedom fighters and explains that GMC will benefit everyone in Assam. “From the poor to the rich; from a tea seller, skilled and unskilled workers, farmers, to contractors, all will benefit. It will not just be Assam, but even West Bengal and other regions benefiting. Our Chief Minister does not make statements without thinking properly and when he said Assam will complement GMC, he meant it,” the young entrepreneur said. “Your King’s historic visit to Assam and our Chief Minister’s visit to Bhutan are indicators of the trust Bhutan and Assam, and Bhutan and India has,” he added. “I have been telling farmers to go organic as it will sell in Gelephu.”
At Chapaguri, an hour’s drive from Santabari, the sentiments shared are similar. Basumatary, an elderly citizen, and formerly a teacher, says he may not live to see GMC and Assam develop together. “But this will be a classic example of a joint project between Assam and Bhutan or India and Bhutan. Our Chief Minister, other leaders and the Assamese people have got an opportunity to be remembered, not just for developing Assam but also helping Bhutan.” I ask what if the help does not come and a man nearby answers in hindhi (urdu). “GMC will definitely help the people of Assam. If the Assam state government or the central government does not help Bhutan, it will be like not helping the people of Assam as we will be one of the biggest beneficiaries, especially the poor.” However, Basumatary says this will not happen at all. “Our CM already made it public. He will not go back on his words.” He also adds that even those who were ignorant of GMC now know about the city, through the media and by word of mouth.
According to the census of 2011, Assam had 31.21 million people spread over an area of 78438 sq km. The 2023-24 gross domestic product was 5.7 lakh crore rupee (USD 68.7 billion). Media reports say Assam’s economy has been witnessing remarkable growth, as reflected in several key indicators under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Assam’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and Per Capita Income (PCI) have shown significant improvement, accompanied by impressive economic growth rates. Strengthened fiscal capacity has further bolstered Assam’s developmental framework, enabling the government to undertake impactful poverty alleviation measures.
Sangay Rabten from Thimphu
