Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday performed the Bhumi Pujan and laid the foundation stone for the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) ISTRAC Advanced Radar Research Facility at Chandrapur near Guwahati.

The facility will be developed under ISRO’s Project NETRA, aimed at strengthening India’s space situational awareness and improving the tracking of objects in orbit. It will use advanced radar systems and optical observation facilities to monitor satellites, space debris and other objects in space, helping protect critical space assets.

The Chandrapur facility will add to India’s growing network of ground-based space surveillance infrastructure. ISRO’s 2025-26 annual report states that a 67-acre site has been identified at Chandrapur for the NETRA radar facility.

Sarma described the project as a landmark development for Assam and said it would strengthen the state’s role in advanced technology and space research. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ISRO leadership for selecting Assam for the strategic project.

The facility is expected to strengthen India’s ability to monitor the space environment and support safer operations of the country’s growing satellite infrastructure.