Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma inspected the site of the proposed Assam Cultural Center and Namghar in Dwarka, Delhi. Construction will start from January. He also took stock of the new Assam House that will be opened soon and talked about starting such projects in other cities also.
Assam Cultural Center and Namghar will be built in Delhi
New Delhi [भारत]July 19 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday inspected the site earmarked for the proposed Assam Cultural-cum-Convention Center and Namghar in Dwarka Sector 17, New Delhi.
This proposed project aims to fulfill the long-standing aspiration of the large number of Assamese migrants living in Delhi-NCR and surrounding areas. Under this, a dedicated cultural and community space will be created in the national capital.
Speaking to the media after the inspection, the Chief Minister said that the Assam government will establish a modern Assam cultural-cum-convention center along with ‘Naamghar’, a neo-Vaishnav community prayer hall started by Srimanta Sankardev and Madhavdev.
This proposed complex will serve as a vibrant hub for the Assamese community. It will provide a common platform for organizing festivals, marriages, cultural, literary and social events and strengthen the cultural bonds among the Assamese people living away from their home state.
It is noteworthy that during his meeting with the then Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal on September 5, 2021, the Chief Minister had requested for allotment of land for the establishment of the Cultural Center and Namghar. Subsequent allotment of land has paved the way for this project, which will further strengthen Assam’s cultural presence in the national capital.
Sarma said the construction of the Assam Cultural-cum-Convention Center is expected to begin in January next year. There will be a Namghar on the top floor of the center and a multipurpose hall with a capacity of about 300 to 400 people, in which community functions, social events and cultural programs can be organised.
Also inspected the new Assam House
Later, the Chief Minister inspected the newly constructed Assam House in Dwarka Sector 13, the construction work of which is nearing completion and will be inaugurated soon. The foundation stone of this new Assam House was laid by the Chief Minister on April 22, 2023.
Built on a 1,000 square meter plot, the building has a total built-up area of approximately 30,000 square feet. It has a three-basement, ground plus four-storey (3B+G+4) structure, built at an estimated cost of approximately ₹21.66 crore.
The new Assam House has been designed to cater to the growing needs of the people of Assam visiting the national capital. A large number of patients from the state regularly visit Delhi for specialized medical treatment, while a large number of students pursue higher education in the city. This facility will provide them comfortable, affordable and convenient accommodation.
The building will have one VVIP suite, 18 guest rooms, 13 dormitory beds, one two-bedroom (2BHK) unit and two one-bedroom (1BHK) units for resident staff. It will also have modern amenities like cafeteria, reception and lounge, kitchen, common toilet, passenger lift, car lift and adequate parking.
Reviewing the progress of the project, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the quality of construction. He said that while the old Assam House on Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Marg was renovated a few years ago, the existing Assam Bhavan on Sardar Patel Marg is being redeveloped, and a modern new facility is coming up in its place.
The Chief Minister announced that both the new Assam House in Dwarka and the redeveloped Assam Bhawan on Sardar Patel Marg will be inaugurated on or before Durga Puja this year. He also said that Karbi Bhawan and Dimasa Bhawan in Dwarka are in various stages of construction and these will further enhance the facilities for the people of the state visiting the national capital.
Assam Bhavan is being built in other cities also
Speaking on similar initiatives outside Delhi, Sarma said the old Assam House on Russell Street in Kolkata has been demolished and a new 90-room facility will be built in its place, while Assam House in Salt Lake will also be rebuilt.
He further informed that Assam House will be inaugurated in Bengaluru later this year and a new plot has been acquired from the Port Authority to build a new Assam House in Mumbai.
The Chief Minister said that the new Assam House in Dwarka, the redeveloped Assam Bhawan on Sardar Patel Marg, the proposed Assam Cultural-cum-Convention Center and Namghar, and similar projects in other metros reflect the commitment of the Assam Government to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the state along with providing quality facilities for patients, students, visitors and the Assamese diaspora.
Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, Resident Commissioner Kavita Padmanabhan and senior officials of the Public Works Department were present during the inspection. (ANI)
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