Merchants’ Associations Submit Memorandum Opposing Proposed Silchar Flyover, Seek Rerouting to Protect Commercial Hubs

Several merchants’ bodies of Silchar, including the Hospital Road Merchant Association, Central Silchar Traders Association, and Rangirkhari Business Owners Association, have jointly submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Assam, through Cachar District Commissioner, on Wednesday (November 12), opposing the proposed construction of a flyover, elevated road through the main commercial areas of the town. The memorandum, forwarded through the District Commissioner of Cachar, highlights what the traders describe as the “enormous difficulties” likely to arise if the project proceeds as planned.

In the memorandum dated November 12, the associations stated that while they appreciate the government’s intent to ease traffic congestion in Silchar, the proposed alignment would severely affect the town’s principal business zones — Central Road, Premtola, Hospital Road, and Rangirkhari — which they describe as the “commercial hub of Silchar and the Barak Valley.”

The signatories pointed out that no public consultation or social impact study has been conducted, despite it being a legal requirement before project implementation. “The district administration has not sought the opinion of the public or those likely to be affected,” the letter stated, urging for transparent and lawful public hearings before any foundation work begins.

The memorandum further argues that the proposed flyover is unlikely to reduce congestion since the majority of traffic within Silchar is generated by local commuters and slow-moving vehicles, not by through-traffic. The associations have suggested an alternative route — beginning from the Silchar Radio Station and extending via the Police Ground and present Central Jail area up to Rangirkhari — which, they claim, would involve minimal commercial displacement and primarily use government land.

“Construction in the heart of the town will devastate hundreds of businesses and cause massive unemployment,” the traders warned, adding that Silchar’s economy, heavily dependent on micro and medium-scale trading, would face a severe setback.

The merchants also cited incomplete projects like the Sanjay Market development, Rangirkhari Silchar multilevel parking, and the former ASTC flag station project as examples of initiatives that failed to materialise, urging the government to first complete pending works before taking up new ones.

On November 12, after submitting the memorandum, the representatives told the media that the District Commissioner had listened to their arguments. They also informed that a meeting between the district administration and the traders’ associations will be held on the 20th or 21st of this month to discuss the matter further.

The stakeholders have requested the Chief Minister to review the project plan, delay foundation works, and hold a public hearing to ensure that the flyover project benefits Silchar residents without crippling its commercial backbone.