Guwahati, Oct. 16: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday called for a change in public attitudes towards industrialisation in Assam, citing Karnataka's development over the past 75 years and urging people in his home state to extend greater support to infrastructure projects and industrial investors.
Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of Assam Bhawan in Bengaluru, Sarma said that while infrastructure projects such as flyovers generally receive public support in Karnataka, similar initiatives in Assam often face criticism, which he suggested could slow down development.
“In Assam, too, we are working at a fast pace. However, when flyovers are constructed here, people support the projects, whereas in Assam, we often face criticism. This difference in public attitude affects the pace of development. The people of Assam should learn from Karnataka's experience,” Sarma said.
The Chief Minister pointed to Karnataka's industrial growth over the past seven and a half decades, arguing that public cooperation in providing land and welcoming investors had played a significant role in the state's development.
“Over the last 75 years, Karnataka has made considerable progress in industrialisation. People here come forward to provide land, industries are established, and investors, including Adani and Ambani, are welcomed. When people from Assam visit Karnataka, they will understand how much progress our state still needs to achieve,” he said.
Sarma urged people in Assam to adopt a more welcoming approach towards industrialists and investment, stressing that industrial development required cooperation between the government, local communities and businesses.
“We should welcome industrialists in Assam. Our mentality is changing, and that change will continue. Of course, Assam cannot compete with Karnataka immediately, but there is a great deal of work we can undertake to make our state one of the better-performing states in India,” he said.
Acknowledging the progress made in Assam, Sarma said development initiatives were continuing but stressed that the state had a substantial gap to bridge in comparison with Karnataka's industrial trajectory.
“We have made considerable progress, and development is continuing. However, we have to bridge the gap of 75 years,” he added.
His remarks underline the Assam government's emphasis on attracting investment, expanding infrastructure and accelerating industrialisation as part of its broader development agenda.