Guwahati/Mumbai — In a move aimed at building long-term, people-centric infrastructure for Assamites visiting Mumbai, the Mumbai Port Authority has allotted a parcel of land in Colaba to the Government of Assam on a 60-year lease, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Sunday. The parcel measures four bighas (around 2.5 acres).
Sonowal said the land will be used to develop “essential public infrastructure” that will directly benefit Assam’s citizens — including facilities to help patients, students and entrepreneurs access Mumbai’s resources. He described the initiative as a “people-first” step in Assam’s growth story and said the decision followed a request from the Assam chief secretary.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the development on X (formerly Twitter), calling it “really great news for Assam” and saying the land will allow the state to develop critical infrastructure in the heart of Mumbai that will aid a wide section of Assam’s people visiting the city. He also thanked Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal and BJP leader Dangoriya for proactively taking up the matter and ensuring timely allotment.
The allotment was confirmed in an official press release from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and picked up by national and regional outlets. The ministry’s statement emphasised that the 60-year lease gives Assam the time and flexibility to plan and execute sustainable, long-range projects on the site.
Press Information Bureau
Officials have said specific plans are still being finalised, but they expect the space to house facilities with high public utility — such as healthcare, education, social-welfare services and incubation/support centres for entrepreneurs from Assam who come to Mumbai for study, treatment or business. Further details and timelines for development were not announced at the time of the press briefing.
The allotment marks a notable example of a state leveraging a land parcel in India’s financial capital to create long-term public assets for its residents. Assam officials say the Colaba site will act as a permanent hub to help citizens access Mumbai’s specialised services without ad hoc arrangements.
Press Information Bureau
(Reporting compiled from the Ministry of Ports press release and media coverage; social posts by Sarbananda Sonowal and Himanta Biswa Sarma.)
