Chief Secretary in Silchar; says Mahasadak to be ready in 2 years, ignores NRC related meetings

Newly appointed Chief Secretary of Assam Alok Kumar visited Silchar for the first time after occupying his office. Meeting bureaucrats and local lawmakers were his prime agenda. After his meetings, he faced the press and revealed some great news for the people of Barak Valley.

The IAS in the presence of Forest and Environment, Excise and Fisheries minister of Assam Parimal Suklabaidya announced that Mahasadak, also known as Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s dream project will be ready for vehicles to ply in next two years. Going into the details, Kumar informed that 10 per cent of the earth moving work is already completed.

He also added that no entry for heavy vehicles will be enforced between Danmcherra and Harangajao from 10 pm to 6 am. He believes that will expedite the work progress. The chief secretary mentioned that the Mahasadak is high up in CM Sarbananda Sonowal’s priority list. While the Mahasadak announcement was a sign of relief for the people of Barak Valley, the chief secretary also left a few worrying signs.

Many organisations comprising of politicians from all parties, intellectuals and social activists wanted to meet Kumar and discuss the teething NRC issue. Kumar chose to keep them in the bay. And after waiting for hours, they all left dejected. BJP leader Kirit Purkayastha was so upset at the chief secretary’s conduct that he ended up saying, “This is the most irresponsible chief secretary I have ever seen in my life. I will personally discuss his misconduct with the CM himself.” He added, “How can a civil servant visit Barak Valley and not discuss NRC.” Their accusation was that the chief secretary gave them an appointment and later did not honour it himself, instead kept them waiting for hours, “The person who has no interest in knowing the plight of common people who are stranded in no man’s land due to irregularities in NRC proceedings have no right to be the chief secretary of a state. If he had no time at all, if he was so busy, why on earth did he give us an appointment in the first place?” questions Purkayastha.

As per information available, all of them were requested to return and meet Kumar but they decided to ignore his request to send across a gesture of rejection.

This is not the first time Mahasadak is being discussed in public forums. Suklabaidya too spoke about the work in progress on the sidelines of a recent event. The state minister too gave a 2-year deadline. So, will 2020 be the inauguration year? Only time will tell, till then Shillong road is all you got…