Dispur: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the first heliport of the State at Kerelagaon in Majuli district Thursday. The heliport having facility for simultaneous landing of three helicopters was constructed with an expenditure of Rs. 50 lakh under untied fund of the State government. The Chief Minister on the occasion also inaugurated a guest house built with Rs. 50 lakh at the heliport.
Later talking to media persons, Chief Minister Sonowal said that the heliport was built with an aim to boost tourism in Majuli, which has a distinct identity as world’s largest river island. He said that the Assam government made dedicated efforts to position Majuli as an important tourist destination of the world and expressed hope that the new heliport would significantly facilitate tourist flow to Majuli.
The Chief Minister said that the State government undertook several projects to strengthen road infrastructure in Majuli along with steps for boosting the tourism sector. He informed that the government initiated sincere steps for construction of the bridge connecting Majuli with Jorhat. Already technical bid was opened and financial bid would be opened in next two days after which the construction process would start soon. The Chief Minister also said that two Ro-Pax ferry would be pressed into service within this month giving a new push to river transpiration in Majuli.
Sonowal further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would visit Dhekiajuli on 7th February and take part in a government meeting to ceremonially launch “Asom Mala” Programme with initial financial outlay of more than Rs. 5000 crores for improvement and upgradation of State Highways & Major District Roads and lay foundation stone for establishment of two new Medical College & Hospitals at Biswanath and Charaideo districts which would significantly strengthen connectivity network and health sector in Assam.
He also said that the Prime Minister would visit Majuli soon and date for the visit would be finalized by the PMO. The Chief Minister also expressed anguish on the incident of food poison at Diphu, which claimed the life of a person. He also wished early recovery of those who fell ill in the incident.
