Assam aims to bring arms manufacturing closer to eastern frontiers
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the proposed Nellie defence park will create jobs for skilled youth and shorten supply lines.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday that a proposed defence park in Morigaon district will place arms production nearer to the country's eastern borders. According to The Assam Tribune, the facility is intended to shorten supply lines and allow for quicker replenishment of equipment.
Sarma stated in a social media post that the Nellie defence park is dedicated to the security of Bharat. He added that the project would provide skilled employment opportunities for the state's youth.
The state Cabinet approved the allotment of approximately 1,984 acres at Nellie on November 3 to establish the first defence park in Assam. A video shared by the Chief Minister suggested the state is moving quickly toward defence manufacturing.
Sarma previously discussed the proposal for a defence corridor with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in 2024. He noted that while the matter is at an advanced stage of consideration, the sensitive nature of the issue means it may take time.
If approved, Assam will become the third state to host a notified defence corridor, following Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The state has already introduced the Assam Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing Policy 2025 to attract investment.
This policy includes incentives such as capital subsidies, production-linked incentives, transport subsidies, and SGST reimbursement. It also includes provisions for skill development in the aerospace and defence manufacturing sectors.