Discuss the outcome of centrally sponsored schemes like PMGSY, Smart Cities Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission in Assam's development landscape.

Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) serve as the primary vehicle for bridging the historical infrastructure gap in Assam. By synergizing central fiscal support with state-level implementation, schemes like PMGSY, Smart Cities Mission, and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) have fundamentally redefined Assam’s development landscape.

1. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): Rural Integration

• Outcome: PMGSY has been a “logistical lifeline” for rural Assam, constructing over 35,000 km of all-weather roads. It has successfully connected isolated habitations in the Barak and Brahmaputra valleys, including the difficult terrains of Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong.
• Impact: By providing year-round connectivity, it has reduced “lead time” for Assam’s tea and perishable agri-produce. It has significantly improved institutional delivery rates and school attendance by ensuring reliable access to services during the monsoon.

2. Smart Cities Mission: Urban Transformation (Guwahati)

• Outcome: Focused on Guwahati, the mission has introduced technology-driven urban governance. Key projects include the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) and the Brahmaputra Riverfront Development Project.
• Impact: The ICCC has enhanced urban safety and real-time monitoring of urban flooding, a perennial challenge for Guwahati. The riverfront project is not only boosting tourism but also reconnecting the city with its ecological heritage, while smart street lighting has improved public safety.

3. Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): Health and Social Empowerment

• Outcome: Under the “Har Ghar Jal” vision, Assam has achieved a remarkable transition. From a mere 1% coverage in 2019, the state has provided Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) to over 75% of rural households (approx. 55 lakh+ households) by 2025.

• Impact:

  • Health: Direct reduction in water-borne diseases and Japanese Encephalitis (JE), which is endemic to Upper Assam.
  • Social: The “Jal Doot” initiative, involving school students in water quality testing, has fostered community ownership. It has significantly reduced the drudgery for rural women, allowing them more time for SHG-led economic activities.

4. Challenges and Evaluation: Despite these successes, the annual flood cycle remains a threat to road durability, and the maintenance of water supply schemes in remote “Char” (riverine) areas requires sustained community participation and funding.

Conclusion: These schemes have transitioned Assam from a state of “potential” to one of “performance.” By building robust rural-urban linkages and ensuring basic human needs, they are laying the foundation for Assam’s goal of becoming a $250 billion economy.