PM Modi to lay foundation stone for Kamakhya Corridor under PM-DevINE scheme during Assam visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Assam, will lay the foundation stone for the Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor on February 4 , a significant project under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North-East Region (PM-DevINE) scheme. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while briefing the media, revealed that the Kamakhya Corridor project is set to transform the religious and cultural landscape in the region.

The Kamakhya Corridor, officially named Maa Kamakhya Divyalok Pariyojana, mirrors the Kashi-Vishwanath Temple Corridor in Varanasi, showcasing the government's commitment to holistic development in different parts of the country. The project, allocated a budget of Rs 498 crore aims to enhance the infrastructure around the revered Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati.

The PM-DevINE scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2022-23, focuses on the rapid and comprehensive development of the North-East Region. With an initial allocation of Rs 1,500 crore, the scheme aims to fund infrastructure and social development projects based on the specific needs of the states. It is not intended to replace existing Central and State Schemes but to fill gaps in various sectors.

Under the institutional arrangement to administer the PM-DevINE scheme, an Empowered Committee, chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of DoNER, has been formed. This committee will screen, appraise, and recommend project proposals for implementation by the relevant agencies, ensuring the efficient utilization of allocated funds.

The total approved outlay for the PM-DevINE scheme from 2022-23 to 2025-26 is Rs 6,600 crore. The scheme allows states and other agencies to propose projects based on the felt needs of the North-Eastern states.