Guwahati, Jan 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Assam on January 17 and 18, during which he will participate in a landmark cultural programme of the Bodo community, lay the foundation stone for a major wildlife-friendly highway project near Kaziranga, and flag off two new long-distance passenger trains.
On January 17, at around 12:45 pm, the Prime Minister will visit Malda in West Bengal and flag off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya) at Malda Town Railway Station.
On the evening of January 17, the Prime Minister will attend “Bagurumba Dwhou 2026” at Sarusajai Stadium, an unprecedented cultural celebration showcasing the heritage of the Bodo community. More than 10,000 Bodo artists from 81 Assembly constituencies across 23 districts are set to perform the traditional Bagurumba dance in a single synchronised presentation, making it one of the largest such performances ever held in the state.
Bagurumba, a folk dance inspired by nature, symbolises harmony, peace and fertility, and is closely linked with Bodo festivals such as Bwisagu, the community’s New Year.
Traditionally performed by young women with men accompanying them on musical instruments, the dance is known for its graceful movements that evoke butterflies, birds and blooming flowers.
On January 18, the Prime Minister will visit Kaliabor in Nagaon district, where he will perform the bhoomi pujan for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project, a ₹6,950-crore national highway initiative aimed at balancing infrastructure growth with wildlife conservation.
The 86-km project, part of the four-laning of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of NH-715, includes a 35-km elevated wildlife corridor passing through Kaziranga National Park, 21 km of bypasses and 30 km of highway widening. Designed as an environmentally sensitive corridor, it is expected to ensure uninterrupted animal movement, reduce human–wildlife conflict, improve road safety and cut travel time across key stretches in Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts. Bypasses at Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat are also planned to ease urban congestion and improve local mobility.
During the same programme, the Prime Minister will flag off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains—Guwahati (Kamakhya)–Rohtak and Dibrugarh–Lucknow (Gomti Nagar). The new services are expected to significantly strengthen rail connectivity between the Northeast and northern India, offering safer and more convenient travel options for passengers.
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