Guwahati : The Assam government has moved to accelerate several major development initiatives, including a flagship Muga silk branding project, eco-tourism infrastructure, skill development centres and pending land clearances for road projects across the state.

Chief Secretary Ravi Kota on Friday said a major proposal to brand Muga silk as Assam’s unique identity product is likely to receive central approval following discussions held during two high-level virtual review meetings.

Kota stated that he attended a meeting of the Empowered Inter-Ministerial Committee (EIMC), chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, where multiple proposals submitted by Assam under the Special Development Projects scheme were reviewed.

Some of the projects are linked to the tripartite Memorandum of Settlement signed between the Union Home Ministry, the Assam government and Bodo and Adivasi groups.

Among the key proposals discussed was the pilot project titled “Branding Muga, the Golden Silk, as the State’s USP of Assam”, with a proposed outlay of Rs 59.83 crore. The three-year initiative is planned across Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts.

Officials said the project is expected to benefit nearly 14,371 Muga farming families, covering around 44 per cent of Assam’s total Muga farming households.

The meeting also reviewed proposals linked to tourism, infrastructure, community development and skill enhancement, with discussions focusing on project readiness, implementation timelines and compliance requirements.

A proposal to establish Skill Development Centres in Kokrajhar, Sonitpur, Doomdooma, Golaghat and Baksa districts at an estimated cost of Rs 14.99 crore was also taken up. The centres aim to improve vocational training, entrepreneurship and employability opportunities for youth.

Another proposal under the 2022 Adivasi Memorandum of Settlement includes the construction of a conference centre near Beltola College in Guwahati at a projected cost of Rs 9.11 crore.

The committee further examined a Rs 165.01 crore eco-tourism promotion initiative covering six destinations across Assam. The proposed allocations include Rs 28 crore for Manas National Park, Rs 35.01 crore for Bornadi at Bogamati, Rs 20 crore for Chakrashila at Baokhungri, Rs 25.01 crore for Bhairabkunda, Rs 14.97 crore for Raimona National Park at Kachugaon and Rs 42.02 crore for Sareswar Beel at Saralchar.

Kota said the state government reiterated its commitment to the timely implementation of approved projects and effective utilisation of development assistance for tourism promotion, infrastructure creation and inclusive growth.

In a separate review meeting held on the directions of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Secretary also reviewed pending land acquisition and compensation issues linked to road infrastructure projects under Asom Mala and related schemes.

The review covered projects spanning more than 300 km across districts including Sivasagar, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Cachar, Hailakandi, Sribhumi, Sonitpur, Udalguri, Kokrajhar, Tamulpur and Chirang under schemes such as ASRIP, ASCCIP, NIDA and SOPD.

According to official details, compensation already released includes Rs 55 crore for the Sivasagar-Chumoni road project, Rs 118 crore for the Moran-Disangkinar Bongali road in Dibrugarh and Rs 101.44 crore for the Borkhola-Kalain road project in Cachar.

Kota said several road stretches were facing delays due to pending land acquisition and compensation-related issues. He directed district officials to expedite compensation disbursal, remove encumbrances and ensure hindrance-free land for timely completion of the projects.

Officials were also asked to closely monitor implementation and strengthen coordination with executing agencies to avoid further delays.