GUWAHATI, July 10: Assam Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, while presenting the Assam Budget 2026, announced that the state government will expedite several major bridge and airport projects to strengthen connectivity across Assam.

The minister said work is progressing on the Palashbari–Sualkuchi Bridge (₹3,197 crore), which has achieved 49 percent physical progress, and the Dhubri–Phulbari Bridge (₹4,997 crore), which has crossed 77 percent completion. Once operational, the Dhubri–Phulbari Bridge will reduce the travel distance between the two locations from 260 km to just 20 km.

He also announced that a new bridge over the Barak River at Gandhighat, connecting Madhuramukh with Silchar town, has been sanctioned under the Setu Bandhan scheme. The government, he said, remains committed to its vision of ensuring a Brahmaputra bridge for every district.

In the aviation sector, Mallabaruah said the state government, in partnership with the Airports Authority of India, is taking forward the ₹2,134-crore Greenfield Airport at Doloo, Silchar, which is currently under the consideration of the Public Investment Board. The government is facilitating all necessary requirements for the project’s early commencement.

The minister also announced support for the phased expansion of Rupsi Airport. Under the revised Master Plan, Phase I will enable all-weather ATR-72 operations, while Phase II will facilitate Airbus A320 aircraft operations, significantly improving air connectivity and boosting economic opportunities in western Assam.

He added that the upgraded Rupsi Airport will play a key role in connecting Lower Assam with West Bengal, Meghalaya, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.