Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Assam on January 17 and 18 to participate in major cultural and infrastructure-related programmes in Guwahati and Kaliabor, highlighting both the state’s rich indigenous heritage and its growing role in national connectivity and development.
The two-day visit will combine a large-scale cultural celebration with the launch of key transport infrastructure projects, reflecting the Centre’s focus on inclusive development, cultural recognition and environmentally conscious growth in the Northeast.
PM to attend historic Bodo cultural programme
On January 17, at around 6 pm, the Prime Minister will attend “Bagurumba Dwhou 2026”, a traditional Bodo cultural programme to be held at Sarusajai Stadium. The event is being described as a historic celebration of Bodo heritage and identity.
More than 10,000 artists from the Bodo community will perform the Bagurumba dance in a single, synchronised presentation. Participants will represent all 81 Assembly constituencies drawn from 23 districts across Assam, making it one of the largest-ever collective performances of a traditional folk dance in the state.
Organisers said the programme aims to showcase the cultural richness of the Bodo people while promoting unity, diversity and pride in indigenous traditions on a national platform.
Cultural significance of Bagurumba dance
Bagurumba is among the most prominent folk dances of the Bodo community and is deeply inspired by nature. The dance symbolises blooming flowers and reflects harmony between human life and the natural environment.
Traditionally performed by young Bodo women, with men accompanying them as musicians, Bagurumba is characterised by gentle, rhythmic and flowing movements that imitate butterflies, birds, leaves and flowers. The dance holds deep cultural meaning and represents peace, fertility, joy and collective harmony.
Bagurumba is closely associated with important festivals such as Bwisagu, the Bodo New Year, and Domasi. Cultural scholars note that the dance has long served as a medium for preserving oral traditions and strengthening social bonds within the community.
Bhoomi Pujan for Kaziranga Elevated Corridor
On January 18, at around 11 am, the Prime Minister will travel to Kaliabor in Nagaon district, where he will perform the Bhoomi Pujan for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project, an infrastructure initiative worth over ₹6,950 crore.
The project involves the four-laning of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of National Highway-715 and is being described as a landmark, environmentally sensitive development effort in Assam.
Spanning 86 km, the project will include a 35-km-long elevated wildlife corridor passing through Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It will also feature a 21-km bypass and the widening of 30 km of the existing highway from two lanes to four.
Focus on environment and connectivity
Officials said the elevated corridor has been designed to ensure uninterrupted movement of wild animals, particularly elephants and other species that frequently cross the highway. By separating wildlife movement from vehicular traffic, the project aims to significantly reduce human-wildlife conflict and improve road safety.
The corridor will pass through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts and is expected to improve connectivity to Upper Assam, especially major centres such as Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. Reduced travel time, lower accident rates and smoother freight movement are among the anticipated benefits.
Bypasses at Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat are expected to ease congestion in towns along the highway, improve urban mobility and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.
Flag-off of two Amrit Bharat Express trains
During the same programme, the Prime Minister will flag off two new Amrit Bharat Express train services — the Guwahati (Kamakhya)–Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express and the Dibrugarh–Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) Amrit Bharat Express.
Railway officials said these services will significantly strengthen rail connectivity between the Northeast and northern India. The trains are designed to offer safer, faster and more comfortable travel, especially for long-distance passengers.
The new services are also expected to boost tourism, trade and people-to-people contact, while supporting the government’s broader vision of integrating the Northeast more closely with the rest of the country.
Significance of the visit
The Prime Minister’s visit is seen as a major boost for Assam, combining cultural recognition with infrastructure development. By participating in a large-scale indigenous cultural programme and launching environmentally conscious projects, the visit underscores the government’s emphasis on balancing tradition, ecology and modern development.
Officials said the events are expected to draw widespread public participation and national attention, reinforcing Assam’s cultural identity and strategic importance in India’s growth story.