PM Modi in Guwahati: Rain, Congress Attack & ₹18,530 Cr Projects

Guwahati, September 14: The rain came down heavy on Saturday, thick sheets that grounded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s helicopter and forced him to take the road through Assam’s muddy stretches. For people here, it was an unusual sight a leader known for his tight schedules adjusting to the same disruptions that ordinary residents face every monsoon.

Rain, Roads, And Familiar Struggles

Villagers along the route watched the convoy splash past. Some said it was a rare moment of recognition. “When the PM has to wait because of waterlogging, maybe Delhi will understand what floods do to us every year,” said Debojit Nath, a shopkeeper from Sipajhar, who pointed at a broken culvert nearby.

In towns like Mangaldoi and Rangia, students said they often miss classes when buses get stuck on washed-out roads. The Prime Minister’s rain delay, to many, was not just a headline but a reflection of their lives.

Big Announcements, Everyday Questions

At his events, Modi announced projects worth ₹18,530 crore new roads, a medical college in Darrang, and refinery expansions at Numaligarh. The figures were big, but reactions on the ground were cautious.

“Medical college sounds good, but first give us a proper hospital where medicines are always available,” said Shabnam Begum, whose son is treated for asthma in Tezpur but often has to be taken to Guwahati.

In Numaligarh, refinery workers wondered whether expansion would benefit them. “Jobs come, yes, but mostly for outsiders with degrees. Local youth want training, not just contract labor,” said Dipen Saikia, who has been with the refinery for 12 years.

Bhupen Da: A Name That Still Connects

In Guwahati, the Prime Minister remembered Bhupen Hazarika, calling him a voice that united India. Here, that reference hit home. “Bhupen da’s songs are our shelter,” said Mitali Nath, an elderly woman who recalled listening to his records when floods cut off her village in the 1970s. “Even today, when politicians fight, his words remind us of togetherness.”

Hazarika remains one figure every community in Assam holds close, across divides of tribe, caste, or language.

Politics On Stage, Life Off It

The Prime Minister also accused Congress and Nehru of letting Assam down during the 1962 war with China and of siding with terrorists. In tea gardens outside Darrang, however, the conversation was different.

“What matters to us is wages,” said Ganesh Tanti, a worker at a nearby estate. “Our pay is still less than what’s needed for survival. History debates don’t fill the stomach.” His co-workers nodded, saying that flood relief and stable homes were more urgent than speeches about the past.

Local News India Waiting For Change That Lasts

The promises made in Guwahati and Darrang have raised hopes, but they are mixed with fatigue. “Every year, someone comes with big figures,” said Prabhat Baruah, who runs a hardware shop near Beltola. “We want to see real changes less traffic, working drains, doctors in local hospitals. That will speak louder than crores announced from a stage.”

For people here, the Prime Minister’s forced road journey may linger longer than his speeches. It showed that in Assam, where the monsoon shapes daily life, even the most powerful are not immune. The true measure, locals say, will be whether the promised projects finally ease these struggles or become yet another story lost in the rain.

Stay ahead with Hindustan Herald — bringing you trusted news, sharp analysis, and stories that matter across Politics, Business, Technology, Sports, Entertainment, Lifestyle, and more.
Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube, and join our Telegram community @hindustanherald for real-time updates.

Ananya Sharma

Senior Political Correspondent – Ananya@hindustanherald.in – Web

Covers Indian politics, governance, and policy developments with over a decade of experience in political reporting.

Breaking