Cachar, February 20: Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday inaugurated Star Cement’s state-of-the-art greenfield plant at Bihara in Cachar district, marking a significant milestone in Barak Valley’s industrial development.
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| Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurates Star Cement’s Cachar plant at Bihara, marking a major boost to Barak Valley’s industrial growth. (Image: X@himantabiswa) |
Describing it as the face of a new Assam where industrialisation is driving prosperity and growth, the Chief Minister said the project would create substantial employment opportunities for the youth of the Barak Valley while accelerating regional economic progress.
The newly inaugurated unit has an annual production capacity of 2 million tonnes and is powered by advanced German technology. Notably, it is the first private cement plant in the region equipped with its own railway siding, ensuring faster connectivity and efficient supply chain management.
Termed as one of the largest private investments in the valley, the plant is expected to strengthen Assam’s industrial ecosystem and reinforce the government’s push for balanced regional development.
In a related development, the Chief Minister announced that on March 14, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kickstart work on the ambitious Silchar-Guwahati Expressway. He described the project as a “game changer” and the first among a transformative expressway network being developed in the Northeast.
He also highlighted that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to launch the nationwide Vibrant Village Programme II from Cachar, underscoring the growing national importance of the region.
Sarma stated that a region once considered neglected now stands central to Assam’s development vision and India’s Act East policy. He reiterated that the upcoming expressway will reduce travel time between Guwahati and Silchar to around five hours, further integrating Barak and Brahmaputra valleys.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Double Engine government, the Chief Minister said the focus remains on ensuring equitable and accelerated development across both valleys of the state.
