Kokrajhar, February 13: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday laid the foundation stone for the Sonkosh Kherai Complex Infrastructure Development Project in Kokrajhar, announcing an allocation of ₹50 crore for the initiative aimed at preserving Bodo heritage in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
 |
| Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma during the Sonkosh Kherai Festival in Kokrajhar, where he announced ₹50 crore for the Sonkosh Kherai Complex. (Image: x.com/CMOfficeAssam) |
The announcement came during his visit to attend the 11th Annual Sonkosh Kherai Festival and the 12th Annual Session of the Dularai Gudi Bathou Afad, the apex religious body of the Bathou faith.
The Sonkosh Kherai festival, held near the banks of the Sankosh River, is a major spiritual gathering of the Bodo community dedicated to the worship of Bathou, the supreme deity. The proposed complex will include permanent structures, prayer halls, and visitor amenities to accommodate the growing number of devotees and tourists.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the project reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage while promoting regional development. He emphasised that strengthening infrastructure at such historic sites would also boost tourism and the local economy in Kokrajhar and adjoining areas.
ALSO READ: Himanta Biswa Sarma Inaugurates Bridge, DC Office & University Facilities in Majuli
During the event, Sarma interacted with community leaders and reaffirmed support for the socio-cultural aspirations of the BTR. The celebrations witnessed a large turnout of devotees in traditional attire, performing the Kherai dance as part of the rituals.
The ₹50 crore project is expected to transform the Sonkosh Kherai site into a prominent cultural and spiritual hub in the region.
