Staff Reporter, Tinsukia , January 25 : Doomdooma added a striking new chapter to its civic and cultural landscape on Sunday with the inauguration of a grand welcome gate at the town’s entrance by Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma. More than a concrete structure, the gate stands as a visual narrative of the town’s deep-rooted association with Assam’s historic tea industry and the collective pride of its people.
Erected at the southern end of the Doomdooma river bridge, the imposing gateway has been constructed by the Doomdooma Municipal Board at a cost of Rs 84 lakh, funded under the 15th Finance Commission. It marks the culmination of a long-cherished vision of local MLA and Cabinet Minister Rupesh Gowala, who has consistently advocated for civic symbols that reflect Doomdooma’s unique identity as a tea town.
The Chief Minister unveiled the structure shortly after launching the State government’s flagship ‘Mukhyamantrir Eti Koli Duti Paat’ scheme near the Samdang Tea Estate on the outskirts of the town. The programme formed part of the ongoing celebrations marking 200 years of the Assam tea industry. As Dr Sarma arrived at the town entrance, he was greeted with traditional warmth by local residents and cultural troupes representing various communities, lending the occasion a festive and inclusive spirit.
Designed by noted artist Tridip Dutta and executed under his close supervision, the welcome gate is rich in symbolism. Its artistic motifs and form reflect the lush greenery of tea gardens, the life and labour of tea workers, and the landscape that has shaped Doomdooma’s social and economic fabric for generations. The structure seeks to capture, in concrete and colour, the essence of a town born and nurtured around tea.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Doomdooma MLA and Cabinet Minister Rupesh Gowala, Doomdooma Municipal Board chairperson Kanta Bhattacharjee, Sadiya MLA Bolin Chetia, Tinsukia Municipal Board chairperson Pulak Chetia, executive officer of the Doomdooma Municipal Board Bidyut Bikash Changmai, ward commissioners and other invited guests.
Speaking to this correspondent, Gowala described the moment as deeply personal, noting that the welcome gate was a dream he had envisioned soon after being elected to the Assembly for the first time. He expressed gratitude to all those involved in bringing the project to fruition and said the structure would not only enhance the town’s visual appeal but also strengthen the residents’ sense of belonging and pride.
The response from the people of Doomdooma has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have hailed the gate as a fitting emblem of the town’s tea heritage and a long-overdue landmark that announces Doomdooma’s identity with quiet confidence to all who enter. For a town shaped by leaves and labour, the new gateway stands as both a welcome and a reminder of its enduring legacy.
