The initial grant from the Rainmatter Foundation, commencing in October 2021, enabled targeted initiatives across Jana Urban Space Foundation’s work to localise climate action in cities and towns and advance environmental sustainability. During the period April 2024 – March 2025, as a result of our partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (DoHUA), Govt. of Assam, we engaged in a State Urban Transformation Agenda in Assam. Concurrently, we aligned and worked with the Rainmatter Foundation by bringing new elements/aspects and focus areas to our work compared to preceding years. The work evolved into a partnership with DoHUA as the anchor partner on the Doh Shaher Ek Rupayan (DSER) program of the state government. This led to the grant getting foreclosed in March 2025 and renewal of the partnership with the Rainmatter Foundation for a period of 4 years, starting April 2025, as a new grant agreement.
During the quarter of July - September 2026, Rainmatter Foundation - Jana Urban Space Foundation partnership advanced an important combination of institutional reform, project preparation and on-ground urban-design implementation in Assam. The work continues to reflect the partnership’s wider ambition: to address the intersection of climate, public infrastructure, urban planning and urban design through deep engagement with states, notably Assam, while also creating horizontal enablers that can unlock demand and cultivate supply for urban reform across states.
In this quarter, advocacy with the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (DoHUA) advanced the proposed state-level Design Management Unit (DMU), with the Commissioner and Secretary, DoHUA, aligned with the proposal and set to initiate the operationalisation process. In parallel, the Tender S.U.R.E. proposal for integrated urban road design was presented to the Commissioner and Secretary, DoHUA, and the CEO of the Externally Aided Projects (EAP) Cell to explore its application across Assam’s cities. These initiatives aim to strengthen urban project preparation, coordinate infrastructure planning and promote safer, more accessible and climate-resilient streets.
Alongside this institutional work, the quarter saw tangible progress in North Lakhimpur and Sivasagar. The North Lakhimpur Eco Park advanced into implementation, with continued focus on soil stabilisation, river-edge protection and phased plantation. Sivadol Precinct Redevelopment, Sivasagar, progressed along the western and southern edges of the tank, with development of initial action and execution plan for underground utilities near the ASI-sensitive zone.
The forthcoming DSER review will be a key decision point for advancing the DMU and Tender S.U.R.E. proposals and guiding the next phase of city-level implementation. Together, these efforts seek to develop replicable design, planning and implementation frameworks that support sustainable and climate-responsive urban development across Assam’s cities.
Highlights of the quarter:
1. Design Management Unit, Assam
During the quarter, progress was made towards operationalizing the DMU, with the draft Terms of Reference and institutional structure presented to the Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (DoHUA), and the CEO of the Externally Aided Projects (EAP) Cell. The Commissioner and Secretary subsequently took the proposal forward for consideration by the Chief Minister, supported by advocacy with the Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister.
The DMU will be responsible for developing Assam-specific design guidelines and toolkits for roads, public spaces, markets, waterbodies, drainage systems and blue-green-grey infrastructure. Capacity-building programmes will be developed for municipal engineers, planners, architects, contractors, consultants and other implementing agencies.
2. Assam Tender S.U.R.E.
During the current quarter, a proposal for urban roads in Assam cities was presented to the Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (DoHUA), and the CEO of the Externally Aided Projects (EAP) Cell. The proposal was subsequently taken forward for consideration by the Commissioner and Secretary for consideration by the Chief Minister, supported by advocacy with the Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister.
Tender S.U.R.E. provides an integrated framework for urban street design, coordinating underground utilities with surface-level mobility infrastructure. It promotes safe and accessible streets, non-motorised transport (NMT), safer intersections and improved last-mile connectivity. The approach offers a model for coordinated urban road development, drawing on its application in Karnataka and the CM-GRIDS programme in Uttar Pradesh.
3. North Lakhimpur Eco Park and Urban Forest
During the current quarter, all working drawings for the project were completed and submitted, all queries were remedied, and the final cost estimate was approved. This provides the site team with the detailed design information required for implementation and procurement.
Construction of the boundary wall also commenced, marking the transition from preparatory groundwork to visible structural development on site.
The progress during the quarter therefore included:
- Completion and submission of the working-drawing package.
- Commencement of boundary-wall construction.
- Procurement of material for mound works.
- Continued transition from site preparation to implementation.
- Ongoing excavation for the Toilet Block.
4. Sivadol Precinct Redevelopment, Sivasagar
During the current quarter, the Phase III (A&B) dismantling, centreline and curb alignment drawing package was submitted for site development works. Preparation of drawings for Phases III (A&B) and IV continued and remained in progress at the end of the quarter.
Work also commenced along the western edge and southern edge of the Sivadol tank, extending project activity to another important part of the precinct.
Key progress during the quarter included:
- Submission of the Phase III (A&B) drawings (dismantling, centerline and curb alignment).
- Continued preparation of drawings for Phases III (A&B) and IV.
- Ongoing work along the western edge of the tank.
- Commencement of work along the southern edge of the tank.
- Ongoing coordination with Assam Power Distribution Company Limited regarding the planning and integration of electrical infrastructure within the precinct.
During discussions, APDCL highlighted limitations in its in-house capacity for planning and executing the proposed electrical-infrastructure interventions. Jana Urban Space Foundation is supporting APDCL in developing an initial plan of action and execution approach, drawing on its experience with the CM-GRIDS projects in Uttar Pradesh and TenderSURE projects in Karnataka. This coordination is important for addressing electrical safety, utility integration, transformer requirements and the sequencing of electrical works alongside the streetscape improvements.
5. Lighthouse Project for Silchar – Fatak Bazar
During the quarter, a ministerial visit to Fatak Bazar was undertaken to assess existing conditions and engage with the market association on redevelopment priorities and vendor rehabilitation. The discussions highlighted key challenges, including poor drainage and sanitation, inadequate solid waste management, deteriorating infrastructure, traffic congestion, and safety and security concerns. The market association expressed its willingness to collaborate with the Silchar Municipal Corporation (SMC) on redevelopment, rehabilitation and improved market maintenance.
A phased approach to redevelopment was emphasised, with immediate priorities including drain desilting, improved waste management and measures to ease traffic congestion. It was recommended that a detailed topographic survey be undertaken instead of a drone survey to accurately map the market’s existing conditions and infrastructure. The survey will inform a preliminary assessment and support the preparation of targeted redevelopment proposals addressing the identified issues.