Will Majuli Turn Into A Developed District Soon?

Nothing probably gives more immense pleasure than when we see a government putting in all the efforts it can, to metamorphosis an economically-backward, somnolent town or district into a buzzing one.

- Dwaipayan Dasgupta

Similar gratification do we feel when we get to know from a study of the 2017 annual budget for Assam presented by the State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the Assembly recently, that the new Sarbananda Sonowal government is toying with the idea of developing Majuli – world’s largest river island which was till the other day a sub-division. Sarma was of the view that he proposed in the budget to take up a multisectoral approach to the large river-island on the Brahmaputra-Subansiri Rivers. This will include, inter alia, development of river basins, introduction of rapid ferry services, navigation facilities, luxury liners and cruises, home stay facilities, most importantly, development of resorts and hotels for different income groups as well as promote satras as religious-cum-cultural centers. Undoubtedly, it will be a superlative job on the part of the BJP-led ruling establishment in the State if its well-considered, much-needed proposal in a reasonable timeline turns to a reality. Why is the Sonowal government in the State interested in the development of the basic Infrastructure of Majuli? Most probably, it seems to have realized that evolving Majuli into a famous tourist destination in the world, as underlined by the state’s Finance Minister, is imperative to take sectoral approach towards the development of various service sectors, evidently to attract both domestic and overseas tourists and to make them well acquainted with the rich culture and tradition of the river island, Majuli. The island was incidentally elevated to a full-fledged district on September 6, 2016 as per the decision taken at the first cabinet meeting in June last year of Sarbananda Sonowal-led ruling coalition government.