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

The minister said the ₹3,197-crore Palashbari–Sualkuchi Bridge has achieved 49% physical progress, while the ₹4,997-crore Dhubri–Phulbari Bridge is over 77% complete. 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 government, in partnership with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), is taking forward the ₹2,134-crore Greenfield Airport at Doloo, Silchar, which is currently under consideration by the Public Investment Board. The state government is facilitating all necessary clearances for the project’s early commencement.

The Finance 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 allow Airbus A320 aircraft operations, significantly enhancing air connectivity and creating new economic opportunities in western Assam.

He added that the upgraded Rupsi Airport will emerge as a key regional aviation hub, improving connectivity between Lower Assam and West Bengal, Meghalaya, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.