The Assam government has sanctioned Rs. 3.94 crore for a variety of programmes surrounding the ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012. The rally involving 31 XUV 500s will start from November 25 and culminate in New Delhi on December 20 after traversing 8000km through nine countries.


On Wednesday, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi chaired the meeting of the apex committee for the rally to lay the blueprint for organising the event through its Assam leg. He is scheduled to flag off the rally from Guwahati on December 17 for its final dash to Delhi.

Union minister of commerce and industry Anand Sharma will attend the flagging-off.

"We shall be painting the city white while keeping it clean for the rally. A colourful programme of almost two hours duration has also planned," a senior city administration officer said.

The meeting also focused on the visit of a 15-member group of ASEAN ambassadors and officials to Guwahati on November 15 in connection with the rally and possible investments in Assam. The group includes dignitaries from Thailand, Brunei, Singapore and Vietnam.

The day also saw the state finance department approving Rs. 3.94 crore for the rally.