Guwahati: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Sunday that the state administration is currently in the final stages of picking a private sector partner to launch its very own satellite. Sarma asserted that Assam is poised to become the first state across India to possess a dedicated Earth observation system of its own. He noted that the government will manage and operate the satellite under a specific structural framework.
Implementation Through the DBLOTT Model
The Chief Minister elaborated that earlier this year, authorities invited Expressions of Interest to lock in an implementation partner following the DBLOTT model, which stands for design, build, launch, operate, transfer, and train. Following strong enthusiasm and participation from India's private space sector enterprises, the selection process has moved into its crucial final phase where designated committees are actively reviewing and evaluating the proposals.
Dubbed Assamsat, this upcoming venture marks a fundamental paradigm shift for the region. Sarma pointed out that instead of merely remaining a consumer of satellite data, Assam is transforming into an active contributor within the broader space technology ecosystem. This capability is expected to significantly accelerate governance and ensure that administrative decisions rely firmly on empirical evidence.
Origins in the State Budget
The groundwork for this initiative was laid in March of last year during the presentation of the 2025-26 state budget. At that time, the then finance minister Ajanta Neog formally announced that the state government would build its own satellite. The primary objective behind this technological leap was to gather precise data for executing vital socio-economic development projects and to strengthen surveillance along the state's borders.
