Guwahati, October 31, 2026: Patients requiring specialised cancer treatment in Northeast India could gain access to a major new medical facility closer to home, with the Assam government advancing its ambitious plan to introduce proton beam therapy at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Guwahati.
The ₹600-crore initiative aims to establish one of India’s most advanced cancer treatment facilities in the public healthcare sector, potentially reducing the need for patients to travel to other parts of the country for specialised radiation therapy.
Announcing the development on Saturday, Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal described the project as a milestone in cancer care under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Assam Government Plans Agreement with IBA Particle Therapy
A contract-signing programme between the Government of Assam and IBA Particle Therapy India Pvt Ltd was scheduled at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur on October 31, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma named as the chief guest.
The project, approved by the Assam Cabinet in August, involves the establishment of a state-of-the-art Proton Beam Therapy Centre at GMCH.
The government has projected the centre as India’s first state government-led proton therapy initiative, marking a significant expansion of advanced cancer treatment facilities in Assam.
World Bank to Support ₹600-Crore Healthcare Investment
The estimated project cost of ₹600 crore will be financed through a combination of external borrowing and state government funding.
According to the funding arrangement announced by the Assam government, ₹315 crore will be provided through a World Bank loan, while the state will contribute the remaining ₹285 crore.
The investment will cover specialised treatment equipment, infrastructure development and the training required to operate the facility.
The project falls under the Assam State Secondary Healthcare Initiative for Service Delivery Transformation (ASSIST), implemented through the Assam Health Infrastructure Development & Management Society (AHIDMS).
Proton Therapy Offers Precise Cancer Treatment
Proton beam therapy uses accelerated proton particles to deliver radiation to cancerous tumours with greater control over where the radiation dose is deposited.
The technology can reduce unnecessary radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissues and vital organs in selected cases, making it particularly useful for certain childhood cancers and tumours located near sensitive structures such as the brain and spinal cord.
Unlike conventional radiation methods using X-rays, proton treatment can limit the radiation dose delivered beyond the targeted tumour.
However, medical specialists determine whether proton therapy is appropriate based on the patient’s diagnosis, tumour location and treatment requirements.
New Facility Expected to Benefit Northeast Patients
Once commissioned, the proposed centre is expected to strengthen specialised cancer treatment services in Assam and offer additional healthcare options to patients from neighbouring northeastern states.
The facility could also contribute to clinical research, medical training and the development of specialised radiation oncology services in the region.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier indicated that establishing the centre would require at least three years, given the complexity of the technology and infrastructure involved.
The project forms part of Assam’s broader efforts to expand advanced healthcare infrastructure and develop Guwahati into a major centre for specialised medical treatment.
With preparations for the facility moving forward, the state government hopes to make high-precision cancer treatment more accessible to patients who currently have limited options within the region.
