Assam Bhavan in Bengaluru to strengthen Karnataka-Assam ties: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Bhavan in Bengaluru will strengthen ties and promote greater coordination between the people of Karnataka and Assam while providing essential services to people from Assam visiting or residing in the State, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday (October 16).

He was speaking after inaugurating the newly-constructed Assam Bhavan at Ramohalli in Bengaluru. Addressing members of the Assamese community living in Karnataka in their native language, Mr. Sarma said the facility would serve as an important centre for the community and visitors from Assam.

The construction of Assam Bhavan began in 2016 but was stalled due to certain issues involving the Karnataka government’s Revenue Department. Work resumed in 2022 after the issues were resolved, and the project has now been completed. Mr. Sarma thanked the Karnataka government for facilitating its completion.

The facility will enable Assamese residents in Karnataka to organise meetings and community events. Visitors will also be able to experience authentic Assamese cuisine. In addition, the Bhavan will provide accommodation for officials and staff from various Assam government departments visiting Karnataka.

Highlighting Assam’s economic progress, Sarma said investment agreements worth ₹5 lakh crore had been signed in the State, of which projects worth ₹4 lakh crore were already under implementation. These investments would help Assam make significant progress in infrastructure development, he said.

An industrial ecosystem was expected to take shape in Assam in the coming years, creating more employment opportunities within the state. Sarma said the government did not want young people from Assam to be compelled to migrate to other States to work as security personnel.

He also referred to the Shraddhanjali scheme, under which more than 40 bodies of people from Assam are brought back every month from Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Describing the situation as distressing, he expressed hope that industrial development and increased local employment would help address the issue.

Assam Revenue Minister Keshab Mahanta, who was also present, said a new industrial estate would soon be announced in Bengaluru. He noted that the Bhavan’s proximity to several educational institutions, including engineering and medical colleges, would make it particularly useful for people travelling from Assam to Bengaluru for medical treatment and education.

The facility is expected to benefit the estimated four lakh Assamese people living in Bengaluru, he added.

The four-storey Assam Bhavan has five conference halls, three VIP and VVIP rooms, 26 small rooms and 36 large rooms. It also includes two two-bedroom residential units, a restaurant, a gymnasium and indoor sports facilities.