The state government is planning to launch an ambitious project of 'Mini Assam' and build a science city in Sonapur in the outskirts of Guwahati to boost tourism, chief minister Tarun Gogoi said in a meeting on Sunday. 

He said the 'Mini Assam' project will give tourists an opportunity to witness Assam's rich heritage, geography and culture through traditional villages, tea gardens, rivers, mountains, indigenous communities, arts and crafts, language, and others. Gogoi added the proposed initiative and project will add to the reforms in the tourism sector. 

At the meeting, Gogoi said his government, under the aegis of the Centre in association with the National Council of Science Museum, will set up the proposed science city for a cost of abour Rs 100 crore. He also said the government will soon start the process to build a national research centre at Sonapur, and suggested a tribal centre would also be set up in the same area, alongwith a golf course in Sonapur-Chandrapur as per a TOI report.

Gogoi opined that the development of these areas in the city will help attract local, national and international tourists. He also stated that the government wanted the entire area to be declared as a green zone and will chalk out a plan for this purpose.