PM Modi to Inaugurate ₹278-Crore Ekta Mall in Guwahati Today; Hub for GI Products, Crafts and ODOP Items
Guwahati, March 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Ekta Mall in Guwahati today, a major commercial and cultural hub aimed at promoting local products, handicrafts and handloom items from across India and the Northeast.
The project, developed near the Assam Trade Promotion Organisation complex in Betkuchi, has been constructed at an estimated cost of ₹278 crore, with significant financial support from the central government. Spread across 38,713 square metres, the mall is designed to serve as a marketplace for traditional crafts and products under initiatives such as “Vocal for Local,” “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat,” and “One District One Product (ODOP).”
The Ekta Mall will bring together products from all 35 districts of Assam along with stalls representing every state and Union Territory of India. The facility is expected to highlight GI-tagged goods, handicrafts, textiles, pottery, handloom products and other traditional items, providing artisans and small producers with a larger market platform.
According to officials, the mall includes more than 36 commercial zones, with dedicated spaces for products from different regions. Visitors will be able to explore a wide range of crafts, including regional textiles, metalwork, pottery, bamboo products and traditional handmade items.
Apart from retail spaces, the complex will also feature food courts offering cuisines from across India and the Northeast, cultural display areas and interactive sections aimed at enhancing the visitor experience. Some sections are expected to include digital and virtual-reality displays highlighting regional heritage and craft traditions.
Architecturally, the building incorporates modern curved facades, perforated panels displaying names of states, jaali-style entrances and spacious atriums. Interiors include wooden finishes, wide corridors and escalators designed to create a modern yet culturally inspired shopping environment.
The project has been constructed by the Assam Public Works Department and is expected to strengthen tourism, create employment opportunities and provide artisans with a permanent platform to showcase their products.
Officials believe the Ekta Mall will emerge as a major retail and cultural destination in Guwahati, encouraging visitors to explore traditional crafts while promoting economic opportunities for artisans across the country and the Northeast region.