‘Pakistani Agents’ Cannot Budge ‘New’ Assam: CM Sarma Takes Dig at Gaurav Gogoi

Guwahati: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday mounted a strong political attack on Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, asserting that Assam would not yield to what he described as “Pakistani agents.”

He made the remarks while addressing a public gathering in Assam’s Kaliabor in Nagaon District, at the inauguration of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project.

CM Sarma, speaking in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stated that Assam had entered a new phase of political and social assertiveness, adding that the people of the state would no longer submit to “unidentified forces.”

His statement came sharply following MP Gaurav Gogoi’s reported opposition of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project a day earlier.

“Assam has changed. No Assamese will bow before any Pakistani agent or unknown people. This is a new Assam,” the Chief Minister said. He also thanked the Prime Minister for dedicating three new train services to the state within two days, describing them as a boost to connectivity and development.

Underscoring cultural revival, Sarma pointed out that nearly 10,000 performers showcased the traditional Bagurumba dance at the event, which he said symbolised Assam’s renewed confidence and pride. He further claimed that rhino poaching in Kaziranga National Park has been effectively curbed, crediting tougher conservation policies and enforcement.

Referring to the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor, Sarma said the ambitious infrastructure project, with an estimated cost of about Rs 7,000 crore, would reduce travel time by close to an hour once operational. He stressed that the corridor has been designed to allow safe and unhindered movement of wildlife, balancing development with environmental protection.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the BJP would retain power in the state. He said several landmark projects that were once dismissed as ‘unrealistic’ had been realised under the current government. These include multiple bridges over the Brahmaputra, a proposed underwater tunnel, and the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor. CM Sarma described a BJP victory in 2026 as a “tribute” to Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project, which involves widening the Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of National Highway-715 to four lanes in Nagaon district. With an investment of over Rs 6,950 crore, the project aims to improve regional connectivity while preserving Kaziranga’s sensitive ecosystem.

The Prime Minister also flagged off two Amrit Bharat Express trains namely, Guwahati (Kamakhya) to Rohtak and Dibrugarh to Lucknow (Gomti Nagar), further strengthening rail links between the Northeast and other parts of the country.

The 86-km-long Kaziranga Elevated Corridor has been planned as an eco-sensitive highway. It features a 35-km elevated stretch through Kaziranga National Park, a 21-km bypass, and the expansion of 30 km of NH-715 from two lanes to four. The route will pass through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts, enhancing connectivity to Upper Assam, including Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.

Officials said the corridor is expected to ensure seamless wildlife movement, minimise human-animal conflict, improve road safety, and cater to rising passenger and freight traffic in the region.

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