Incomplete Dredging, No River Board—Barak’s Isolation Must End, Says Sushmita Dev in Rajya Sabha

In a compelling speech during the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha today, Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev called for urgent development of the Barak River as a national waterway. She stressed the need for dredging, improved infrastructure, and the establishment of a Barak River Board to boost trade and connectivity in Assam’s Barak Valley. Highlighting the region’s economic struggles, she pointed out that incomplete infrastructure has left the valley isolated, especially during floods and landslides.

Dev reminded the House that during her tenure as Silchar’s Lok Sabha MP, Barak River was declared a national waterway, raising hopes for economic progress. However, the lack of proper infrastructure and abandoned dredging efforts have stalled its potential. “We thought we would be able to enhance the economy through the movement of goods through Barak River. Unfortunately, the infrastructure is still incomplete, the dredging of the river has been abandoned, and due to this, Barak Valley is often isolated,” she said.

She highlighted that while Assam is well known for its mighty rivers, their potential for trade remains underutilised. “Our rivers should be used for facilitating the movement of goods,” she urged, emphasising that neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar could be key trade partners.

With train services disrupted during floods and air travel unaffordable for most, she argued that fully operational waterways could be a game-changer. “We need river ports, proper customs, and infrastructure so that this area of Assam can grow faster, boost our economy, meet the aspirations of the youth, and connect us better for international trade,” she said.

Dev also questioned why a Brahmaputra Board exists to manage the Brahmaputra River, but no such board has been set up for Barak. She pressed the government to address this oversight, saying, “Till today, for the Barak River of Assam we don’t have a board that manages the river.”

By bringing this issue to the Rajya Sabha, Dev has once again voiced the concerns of Barak Valley residents, ensuring that their needs are heard at the highest level. Whether the government will act remains to be seen, but her firm stance has reignited the conversation on Assam’s waterways and their untapped potential.