Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday reviewed a series of major infrastructure and cultural projects in Guwahati, including the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Tirtha, the Assam Police Reserve redevelopment project and the ongoing modernisation of the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden.
The Chief Minister began his visit by paying tribute to music legend Dr. Bhupen Hazarika at the Samannay Tirtha in Jalukbari and reviewed facilities at the memorial complex with officials from the Cultural Affairs Department and the Public Works Department. Chief Minister Sarma said the memorial would be redesigned to better reflect the life, works and legacy of the iconic singer, composer and cultural icon.
He announced that Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies would be introduced to offer visitors immersive experiences, including virtual interactions with Dr. Hazarika and digital access to his music and literary contributions. He also said an open-air stage would be constructed within the complex and a government committee would be formed to manage the memorial.
Besides organising programmes on Dr. Hazarika's birth and death anniversaries, the committee will hold year-round cultural events based on his creations to make the site a vibrant cultural destination. Later, the Chief Minister inspected the ongoing redevelopment of the Assam Police Reserve campus at Paltan Bazar.
The project, estimated at around Rs 600 crore, will provide residential accommodation for more than 600 police personnel, including Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors and Constables. The campus will also house a school, temple, namghar, playground, press conference hall and administrative offices.
A separate residential building for 42 police officers is also under construction at Panbazar. Chief Minister Sarma also reviewed the Rs 360-crore modernisation project at the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden.
He inspected the under-construction veterinary hospital, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre and museum, and chaired a review meeting with senior officials. He directed authorities to consult leading veterinary experts while developing the hospital and asked them to examine the feasibility of introducing an internal train service for visitors.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the health of three rescued red pandas, which were brought to the zoo after being rescued from wildlife traffickers earlier this year.