“No Need for Agitation”: Minister Urges People to Trust Government on Silchar Roads

The Assam Government has decided to remove the Capital Point to Rangirkhari road project from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and hand it over to the Assam Public Works Department (PWD) for fresh construction.

The announcement was made on Thursday (July 16) by Cabinet Ministers Krishnendu Paul and Kaushik Rai after a review meeting held at the Conference Hall of the Cachar District Commissioner’s Office. The meeting, which lasted for more than two hours, was attended by the District Commissioner, officials of NHIDCL, PWD, Public Health Engineering (PHE), Silchar Municipal Corporation and other concerned departments.

Addressing the media, Minister Krishnendu Paul said the meeting reviewed the condition of the road between Rangirkhari and Capital Point and discussed measures to ensure that the reconstruction is carried out according to government norms. He said the Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has directed the ministers to closely monitor the work so that residents of Silchar can travel safely on roads free from potholes.

Paul said the PWD will prepare a fresh estimate and, after completing all required government procedures, the existing road surface will be removed before new bituminous work begins. He added that the government wants Barak Valley to develop alongside the rest of Assam and is committed to improving road connectivity in the region.

Speaking on the delay in the project, the minister said heavy rainfall in Barak Valley has slowed construction activities. He also pointed out that four-lane road works and pillar-related excavation have contributed to the present condition of the road. According to him, officials from NHIDCL, PWD and the district administration have been instructed to take immediate corrective measures so that the road can be properly restored after the monsoon.

Paul also urged people to compare the condition of Barak Valley before 2016 with its present state, claiming that the communication sector has witnessed significant development under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He appealed to journalists and residents to cooperate with the government’s development efforts. Referring to public criticism over the damaged roads, he said people are free to express their concerns through social media but requested that they keep faith in the government’s efforts instead of launching protest movements.

Minister Kaushik Rai said NHIDCL had faced pressure last month over the poor condition of Silchar’s roads. As a temporary measure, the agency repaired certain damaged stretches by placing concrete blocks over the existing road instead of floating a fresh tender. He clarified that this was never intended to be a permanent solution and assured that proper reconstruction will be undertaken.

Rai also announced that a notification will soon be issued restricting the movement of heavy vehicles on the Capital Point to Rangirkhari stretch. Heavy vehicles will instead be diverted through the bypass to reduce further damage to the road.