Guwahati: The Assam Cabinet on Thursday approved a series of major development initiatives, including the Rs 765-crore redevelopment of the RG Baruah Sports Complex, popularly known as Nehru Stadium, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced.
Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Sarma said the ambitious project is aimed at addressing the growing need for modern sports infrastructure and fostering the sporting talent of Assam’s youth.
The revamped complex will feature a world-class football stadium with a seating capacity of 25,000, along with advanced multi-sport facilities for football, swimming, badminton, table tennis, and other indoor and outdoor disciplines.
In another key decision, the cabinet cleared the organisation of blood donation camps at 53 locations across the state on November 18 to mark the birth anniversary of legendary singer Zubeen Garg. The Health and Family Welfare Department will provide technical support for the initiative.
The council of ministers also approved the rollout of ‘Asom Mala 3.0’, with an investment of Rs 3,217 crore, to develop a high-speed transport corridor across Assam.
Additionally, the cabinet sanctioned the notification of Ledo Namdang in Tinsukia district as a Protected Reserve Forest, covering 9.4 hectares, and approved a new policy for riverbank protection and embankment projects. Under the policy, projects will proceed on the basis of voluntary land relinquishment by local communities, removing the need for formal land acquisition. “This will ensure faster execution, reduce costs, and enhance community ownership,” Sarma said.
The state’s holiday list for 2026 was also approved, comprising 35 gazetted holidays, 39 restricted holidays, one half-day holiday, and 19 holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
As part of the ‘Matri-Pitri Vandana’ scheme, government employees will be allowed special leave either from July 9–12 or July 23–26, 2026, to spend time with their parents.
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The cabinet further decided to place both hard and digital copies of the Commission of Enquiry on Assam Disturbances 1983 (Tribhuvan Prasad Tewary Commission) report in the upcoming session of the Assam Legislative Assembly.
