CM charts state’s roadmap for urban growth in Delhi talks

Guwahati: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday met Union health minister JP Nadda and Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan in New Delhi to discuss Assam’s development trajectory, with a focus on expanding healthcare infrastructure and boosting economic growth.

He also said Union minister for power and housing and urban affairs Manohar Lal Khattar assured full support from his ministries to help Assam achieve energy self-sufficiency and accelerate urbanisation.

Sharing details of his meeting with Nadda on social media platform X, Sarma said the minister had played a crucial role in strengthening the party in Assam during his tenure as national president and contributed significantly to its electoral success in the state.

He added that he sought Nadda’s guidance for implementing several ambitious healthcare initiatives being undertaken by the Assam govt. “...I thanked him for his efforts and sought his guidance to implement the ambitious health sector schemes which we are undertaking in the state — from medical colleges to proton beam therapy to doctor intakes, etc., and build Assam as a preferred hub of medical tourism,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the CM also called on the VP and briefed him on Assam’s growth story and development initiatives.

Describing the VP as “an epitome of humility, hard work and dedication in public life”, Sarma said meeting him was “always a learning experience”. “Look forward to his continued guidance in our journey of a Viksit Assam,” he added.

Sharing details of a meeting held at Khattar’s official residence in New Delhi on Sunday night, Sarma said the minister devoted valuable time to discussions on Assam’s development priorities and ensured the presence of senior officials from his ministries to chart out future plans.

“On a Sunday night past 10 pm, he was kind enough to ensure that senior officials of his department were there to help us plan a successful road map to achieve Assam’s energy self-sufficiency,” the CM said in a post on X.

He added that the meeting focused on formulating a roadmap to strengthen Assam’s energy sector and advance the state’s goal of becoming energy self-sufficient.

Sarma said Khattar assured the Assam govt that its urbanisation initiatives would receive priority attention, indicating closer cooperation between the Centre and the state on urban infrastructure and development projects.

Expressing gratitude to the minister, Sarma said the support extended by the ministries would help Assam pursue its long-term objectives in the power and urban development sectors.

Further details regarding specific projects or timelines discussed during the meetings were not immediately disclosed.