Assam government will change the names of places and villages which are not in consonance with the culture and tradition of the state. The state government will soon launch a web portal where the public can apply for name change of their locality.

Sarma, while speaking at a bhumi pujan (ground breaking) ceremony of the second medical college in Guwahati said, “there are some places which people of the locality do not wish to take the name. There are places which are named out of malice in some communities. This has to change.”

Guwahati’s Kalaphar was named after Kalapahad who was Muslim General of Bengal Sultanate and attacked the Kamakhya temple, he said. “So definitely this name has to be removed, I have urged the local MLA to consult with the people and suggest a suitable name.”

“The government will soon open a web portal where people can apply for change of the name of places. Those places which are not in consonance with our culture and tradition have to be changed,” he added.

The second medical college is being implemented for a total cost of Rs 998.30 crore covering an area of 62 bighas.

The Kalapahar campus of the new medical college will have 480 beds, 46 ICUs, 7 high tech OTs and accommodation facility for 450 students and 100 interns. The college would provide admission to 100 MBBS students annually. On the other hand, the MMCH campus will have 800 beds, 100 ICUs, state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities, dialysis unit, 11 OTs among others.

The Chief Minister announced that the new institute would be named Pragjyotishpur Medical College in honour of Assam’s glorious past. This new medical college would tremendously augment medical education and healthcare infrastructure in the State and fulfil the medical requirements of Guwahati and nearby areas, he said.

He said that the flyover construction is going on at Sarabbhati which would facilitate better communication between two campuses. The State Government is ramping up healthcare infrastructure in the state keeping in view the future demand and by the end our present government’s tenure, Assam will have 14 medical colleges. There is also the possibility of inauguration of AIIMS at Changsari by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November this year, he informed.

Saying that Assam performed remarkably during the Covid period, he appreciated the health workers for their tireless service.

He stated that the State emerged as one of the top three most improved states in incremental performance in NITI Aayog’s health index for 2019-20. The State Government is striving to make Guwahati a hub of medical tourism in Southeast Asia and infrastructure development is key to achieve that, he asserted.