Assam Signs Rs 600 Crore Agreement to Establish India's First Government-Sector Proton Therapy Centre in Guwahati

**Guwahati, November 1, 2026:** The Assam government has signed an agreement to establish India's first government-sector Proton Beam Therapy Centre in Guwahati, with an estimated investment of Rs 600 crore. The agreement was signed with IBA Particle Therapy India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Belgium-based Ion Beam Applications, in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The proposed facility will be established at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and is expected to strengthen advanced cancer treatment facilities in Assam and the wider Northeast. **Rs 600 Crore Investment** The project involves an estimated investment of Rs 600 crore. According to the government, Rs 315 crore will come through World Bank support, while the Assam government will contribute Rs 285 crore. The facility will be equipped with the ProteusONE proton therapy system, an advanced technology used for targeted radiation treatment. **What Is Proton Beam Therapy?** Proton Beam Therapy is an advanced form of radiation treatment used for certain types of cancer. Unlike conventional radiation techniques, proton therapy can deliver radiation more precisely to targeted areas, helping limit exposure to surrounding healthy tissues in suitable cases. This technology can be particularly valuable for certain patients, including children, depending on their medical condition and treatment requirements. **Training for Medical Professionals** Under the agreement, doctors, medical physicists, technicians and other healthcare professionals will receive specialised training from IBA. Selected personnel will also receive training at international centres where similar technology is already operational. The state government has additionally approached Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai to support the training and preparation of medical personnel. **A Major Healthcare Development for Northeast India** The proposed centre is expected to reduce the need for some patients from Assam and neighbouring states to travel to distant cities for specialised cancer treatment. The project is part of Assam's broader efforts to strengthen cancer-care infrastructure and improve access to advanced medical facilities. According to the Chief Minister, the facility is expected to take at least three years to establish.