On Saturday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma heralded a “golden day” for the state as the Bhumi pujan was performed for a groundbreaking Rs 27,000 crore semiconductor assembly and test facility in Jagiroad, Morigaon district.
Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tata Sons Limited for their pivotal roles in this significant industrial development.
Thanking Prime Minister Modi and Tata Sons Limited, Sarma emphasized the importance of this initiative for Assam’s future. He assured N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons Limited, that the company would face no obstacles in setting up this facility and highlighted the state’s appreciation for this substantial investment.
“The establishment of this facility marks the beginning of a new era of industrial development in Assam, creating numerous employment opportunities for our youth,” Sarma stated during the Bhumi pujan ceremony. He attributed the project’s fruition to the concerted efforts of Prime Minister Modi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Electronics Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. “Their assurances to support Tata’s initiative have been instrumental in bringing this project to Assam,” he added.
Sarma recounted his earlier efforts to attract private investment to the state, noting the challenges due to past insurgency activities. He recalled approaching Chandrasekaran, then Managing Director of Tata Consultancy Services, to co-sponsor the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Guwahati. “The Tatas readily agreed and have since been significant contributors to various sectors in Assam, including the tea industry, cancer care, healthcare, automotive, and now electronics,” Sarma said.
The facility is being developed on the site of the defunct Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited, a move Sarma described as transforming adversity into opportunity. “We are optimistic about a prosperous future and thankful to the people of Jagiroad for their faith in our government,” he added.
Chandrasekaran highlighted the broader impact of the facility, which aims to create a semiconductor ecosystem attracting various component manufacturers. “This will foster a thriving electronics hub in the region, driven by innovation and research,” he stated. The project, expected to be partially operational by 2025, will generate over 30,000 jobs, with a significant focus on local youth employment.
