Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Member of Parliament for Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency, was sworn in as an ex-officio member of the Digboi and Makum municipalities. In his address, Sonowal, who actively works towards the development of Dibrugarh, outlined his vision for the constituency’s growth, highlighting Dibrugarh’s historical prosperity due to its rich resources like tea, coal, wood, and petroleum.
Sonowal spoke about the historical neglect of Dibrugarh under previous Congress governments post-independence, and credited the Vajpayee and Modi administrations for the region’s revival. This has led to significant improvements in rail, road, air, and water connectivity, fueling industrialization and youth employment in Dibrugarh, aligning with PM Modi’s inclusive development agenda of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”
Sonowal noted the importance of Digboi and Makum municipalities in driving infrastructure development. He emphasized the government’s focus on enhancing these heritage zones, with Digboi Municipality gaining national recognition. Efforts are underway to expand the capacity of the historic Digboi Refinery from 0.69 million tonnes to 1 million tonnes, a significant initiative under PM Modi’s leadership.
Sonowal criticized previous governments for their lack of vision regarding the refinery’s capacity expansion. He praised PM Modi’s initiative to increase the refinery’s capacity, recognizing its heritage and importance.
The Union Minister also outlined his vision for inclusive development across all ethnic groups in Assam, focusing on youth, women, farmers, and economically disadvantaged sectors. He stressed the importance of youth empowerment through technology, development, employment, and skill enhancement.
“We are committed to the peace, harmony, progress, and prosperity of society, seeking the love and blessings of people from all walks of life across Barak-Brahmaputra and Pahar-Bhaiyyam. In the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency, known for tea tourism, medical tourism, and river tourism, our focus remains steadfast on fostering industrialization, enhancing agricultural exports, improving waterway infrastructure, promoting the sports sector, and advancing skill training. We pledge to continue our swift efforts to elevate Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency to a prominent position nationally,” remarked Sonowal.
Sonowal was accompanied by former Union Minister of State Rameshwar Teli; Digboi MLA Suren Phukan; Assam State Housing Board Chairman Pulak Gohain; Tinsukia District BJP President Kushkant Bada; Digboi Municipality Mayor Sudipta Dutta Chowdhury; Makum Municipality Mayor Bipasha Bora, and other colleagues.
