Assam revises Guwahati's Rs 477 crore Brahmaputra convention centre-cum-Guest House cost from Rs 334 crore
The cost of the Assam Convention Centre-cum-State Guest House under construction along the Brahmaputra riverfront in Guwahati has been revised to ₹477 crore from the initial allocation of around ₹334 crore, according to information shared recently by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).
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In a post on X, the CMO said the project is being developed to strengthen Assam's capacity to host conferences, state functions and hospitality-related events. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also referred to the project, stating that it would be "coming soon".
According to a Public Works Department (Buildings) official, the project is expected to be completed by March 2027. The official said construction resumed in February 2025 after an earlier delay.
The main structure of the convention centre has already been completed, while the remaining work includes interior finishing and the development of supporting infrastructure within the project premises. This includes utility-related works, the construction of the peripheral boundary wall and the installation of entry and exit gates, the official said.
The integrated complex is being developed on MG Road, adjacent to the Gauhati High Court, on the site that previously housed the old Guwahati Circuit House and Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok.
Spread over approximately 5.85 lakh square feet, the project will comprise a convention facility with a seating capacity of 1,900 and an auditorium capable of accommodating 900 people. The complex will also include various public amenities and business-related infrastructure.
In addition, the facility will house 127 guest rooms, nine suites designated for VIP and VVIP guests, and a Presidential Suite with direct access to a rooftop helipad.
A PWD official said facilities such as a gymnasium and dedicated media lounges form part of the project. "High-end facilities, including the gymnasium and dedicated media lounges, have been completed with premium interior finishes," the official said.
The project is being executed by Shree Gautam Construction Company Limited under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model, with the Public Works Department serving as the implementing agency.
The foundation for the project was laid in August 2019 when Himanta Biswa Sarma was serving as Assam's Public Works Department Minister. However, the project encountered delays after the contractor originally entrusted with the work reportedly abandoned the site midway through construction.
According to officials, the interruption affected the project's progress and contributed to delays in execution before work resumed in February 2025.
The state government has projected the convention centre as a facility that will enable Assam to host larger conferences, business events and official functions within the state. In a statement posted on social media, the CMO said the project is intended to enhance the state's ability to organise global conferences and major official events.
Speaking about the project last year, Sarma had said that major medical conferences and trade and industry conclaves currently held in Kolkata could be organised in Guwahati after the facility becomes operational.
He had also said that events such as Advantage Assam could be hosted at the convention centre instead of being organised at temporary venues such as the Veterinary College playground in Khanapara.
"Upon completion of this convention centre, we will be able to host all major events of eastern India in Guwahati. It will also have a multiplier effect on the economy and the hotel and hospitality sector," Sarma had said.
The convention centre project is one of several large public infrastructure projects undertaken in Guwahati in recent years. It comes months after the inauguration of the Jyoti-Bishnu Antarjatik Kala Mandir in the Khanapara area of the city.
The auditorium, inaugurated in December 2025 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Sarma, has a seating capacity of 5,000. Named after Assamese cultural icons Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Bishnu Prasad Rabha, the facility was built at an estimated cost of Rs 291 crore.
Spread across 14.85 acres, the complex includes five VIP suites, advanced audio-visual facilities, digital infrastructure and a multi-level parking facility capable of accommodating up to 450 vehicles.
While the Jyoti-Bishnu Antarjatik Kala Mandir has been developed primarily as a cultural venue, the convention centre project is intended to provide infrastructure for conferences, exhibitions, official functions and guest accommodation within a single complex.
Officials said the structural component of the convention centre project is largely complete and that work is currently focused on interior development and ancillary infrastructure. The remaining stages of construction are expected to determine whether the project meets the March 2027 completion target set by the department.
The increase in the project's cost from around ₹334 crore to ₹477 crore marks a significant revision from the original estimate. However, no detailed explanation for the increase was provided in the recent statements issued by the government.
