Guwahati: Assam tabled a bill on Thursday to create an authority for developing satellite cities around Guwahati.The Guwahati Satellite City Development Authority Bill, 2026, was introduced amid opposition from several groups on Guwahati’s outskirts to the proposed satellite townships and cities in rural belts beyond the present city limits.The bill proposes the Guwahati Satellite Cities Development Authority (GSCDA) as a specialised body for strategic planning, integrated development and execution of notified townships and satellite cities.According to the bill, the authority will have powers to develop integrated townships, knowledge cities, aviation cities, logistics hubs, tourism zones, economic corridors, commercial centres and other planned urban projects within notified Satellite City Development Areas or areas under its jurisdiction.“The areas under the purview of the authority shall be as notified by state govt from time to time,” the statement of objects and reasons said.Housing and urban affairs minister Kaushik Rai justified the move, saying Assam was witnessing rapid urbanisation and population growth, putting pressure on existing urban centres, especially Guwahati.“The corresponding ever-increasing demand for housing, commercial activities, educational institutions, healthcare facilities and govt services within these urban centres has resulted in pressure on existing civic infrastructure and natural resources. Concurrently, there is a need to explore, strategise and establish new avenues of economic growth capable of attracting fresh investments, generating employment in a sustained and scalable way,” Rai said.He said the bill aims to end fragmented planning across agencies and create a centralised institution for future urban growth corridors, land consolidation, infrastructure integration, funding and private investment.
