Digital Transformation Call: Assam CM Urges Connectivity in Forest Villages

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma implores the central government to legislate changes for telecom services in over 4,000 forest villages in Assam. Urging better data connectivity for BPO investment, Sarma envisions a digitally connected Assam with high-speed internet driving growth and employment in the state.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has called on the central government to make legislative changes enabling telecom services in more than 4,000 forest villages across the state. He highlighted this during the 'Advantage Assam' summit, advocating for improved data connectivity to attract BPO investments.

Sarma pointed out the necessity of boosting connectivity, which is essential in the digital age, especially with BPOs relocating from tier-I to tier-II and tier-III cities like Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Jorhat. He proposed laying optical fibre from the Bay of Bengal through the Brahmaputra to bring high-speed internet to Assam.

With upcoming data centers and efforts to connect 25,250 villages via optical fibre, Assam is positioning itself as a hotspot for tech investment. Sarma noted the potential employment opportunities from initiatives like a Rs 27,000-crore semiconductor facility and a proposed Rs 30,000-crore mobile manufacturing unit, reducing the need for locals to seek jobs elsewhere.