Assam in talks with Isro, may be first state to have own satellite

Assam has opened talks with Isro to become the first state to launch a

geostationary satellite

worth Rs 450-500 crore that can provide information on illegal infiltration, give advance flood warnings and generate weather inputs to benefit farmers, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said Monday after earmarking funds in the 2025-26 state budget for an unprecedented digital leap.
The govt’s budget, buoyed by what finance minister Ajanta Neog said was a robust increase in revenue collection over previous five-year period, includes other game-changer proposals like India’s first AI-powered anti-deepfake & cyber surveillance lab, a pioneering green packaging industrial hub, a

bamboo smart city

, AI and blockchain-powered tea auction, and state-owned OTT platforms to promote Assamese cinema, literature and folk songs.
CM Sarma illustrated the need for a geostationary satellite by referring to a coal mine accident last Jan in Umrangso that caused nine deaths. “It took us 45 days to get data on the mine. We had to glean information from satellites positioned over that area during the accident. If we have our satellite, it can be used exclusively for surveillance over our geographical area,” Sarma said.
In her speech, Neog said “ASSAMSAT” would ensure “continuous, reliable flow of data for implementation of critical socio-economic projects”. It will also help in agriculture, disaster management, infra development and border security management, Neog added.