The Kamakhya Temple, located atop the Nilachal Hills, is one of the oldest and most sacred centres of Tantric worship in India. Dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, the temple has a rich history dating back to the 8th-9th century, with various dynasties such as the Mlechhas, Palas, Kochs, and Ahoms playing a role in its patronage and evolution.
#WATCH | Assam | Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani visited the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati earlier today pic.twitter.com/875ICHK8Mq
— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2025
The temple is a focal point of the annual Ambubachi Mela, which symbolises the goddess’s menstruation and is a major festival in the Shakta tradition. Known for its unique aniconic worship of the yoni, the temple complex houses shrines dedicated to the ten Mahavidyas of Shaktism, making it a rare site of spiritual significance.
Following his visit, Ambani addressed the ‘Advantage Assam’ business summit, where he unveiled Reliance Industries’ ambitious plan to invest ₹50,000 crore across five key sectors in the state over the next five years.
“At the 2018 investment summit, I announced an investment of ₹5,000 crore. Since then, our investments have exceeded ₹12,000 crore. This amount will quadruple, and we will invest ₹50,000 crore in the next five years,” Ambani stated.
The planned investment will focus on green and nuclear energy, supply chain expansion, retail, technology infrastructure, and the hospitality sector. Ambani highlighted Assam’s strategic potential, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making the Northeast a key economic hub.
“You have brought Assam and the rest of the Northeast from the periphery to the centre of India’s developmental map. You have yourself visited the region over 70 times—more than any other PM in the past,” he said, addressing Modi’s commitment to the region.
Ambani outlined Reliance’s five investment priorities for Assam. The first is driving the state’s digital transformation by enhancing AI and technology infrastructure. “For us, Assam’s digital transformation is a noble and patriotic mission. Jio has made Assam not only 2G-mukt but 5G-yukt,” he said, referring to the expansion of 5G connectivity.
The second major area of focus will be clean energy, including nuclear energy. “Reliance will build two world-class hubs of Compressed Biogas (CBG) over wastelands in Assam. This will produce 8 lakh tonnes of clean biogas annually, enough to fuel 2 lakh passenger cars every day,” he announced.
Ambani also highlighted the company’s commitment to bolstering Assam’s food and non-food supply chains. Reliance plans to establish a mega food park to add value to the state’s agricultural and horticultural output, along with expanding its existing bottling plant for Campa Cola and packaged drinking water.
Retail expansion is another key priority, with Reliance set to double its store count in Assam from 400 to 800 over the next five years. Additionally, the company aims to boost the hospitality sector by developing a seven-star Oberoi hotel in the heart of Assam.
Ambani emphasised that these investments would generate tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, benefiting the state’s youth. He also announced several initiatives under the Reliance Foundation’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.
“Assam has a rich heritage of arts and crafts. It is one of the largest producers of bamboo, which is called ‘Green Gold’. Sualkuchi, the centre of Assam’s famous silk industry, has the potential to grow manifold in the generation of incomes and jobs,” he said. The Reliance Foundation, in collaboration with its ‘Swadesh’ stores, plans to work with the state government to promote Assam’s traditional industries.
Concluding his address, Ambani expressed his confidence in Assam’s future, stating that Reliance will continue to be a “proud and dependable partner” in the state’s growth journey.
ALSO READ: Mukesh Ambani commits to doubling Reliance’s investment in Bengal by 2030
