Piling Work Begins on Shibbari Road Elevated Project; 12-Meter-Wide Elevated Road Planned

On May 30 this year, when the flood had affected the entire valley, Tarapur’s Shibbari Road was one of the worst sufferers. The area had become a sinking zone posing a threat to the road being washed away by the turbulent flow of the Barak River. On his second visit to Shibbari Road to check on the embankments and dykes of Barak due to the ongoing floods, Pijush Hazarika, the Water Resources Minister of Assam, said the work for the reconstruction and a permanent solution for the Tarapur Shibbari Road sinking zone would start within 10 days. Hazarika revealed the plan to build a 210-meter-long elevated road on the sinking zone area of Shibbari Raod. 115 days or 3 months, 23 days later, the piling work of the promised and anticipated elevated road started today (October 23).

The site buzzes with activity, with heavy machinery, earth drills, and construction equipment set in motion. Following the traditional Hindu Practices, the MLA of Silcahr, Dipayan Chakraborty today participated in worshipping the pilling machinery and later also worshipped the perennially flowing Barak River to bless the work. Addressing the press from the construction site, Chakraborty reflected on his commitment to the project. On Wednesday, Chakraborty said, “I have mentioned about this embankment in my maiden speech in the Assembly when I was elected for the first time in 2021. Before our government, there have been expenditures in lakhs and corers but a solution for this sinking zone couldn’t be carved out. Following that in several correspondences with the CM and also with the Guardian Ministers of Cachar, earlier Ashok Singhal and now Jayanta Malla Baruah, the issue was raised. Finally, the CM has proven that Barak Valley is given equal importance just like any other area of Assam, giving utmost importance to this project, the work has started today”.

Following devastating floods and after being on the brink of being washed away, the concerned department has sent the “Hitech Ecogreen Contractors” company for the project assessment. “Hitech has started working here since September 5 and first worked on the diversion road or the subway, an alternative road while the work for the elevation road will be ongoing. Even though the contractor has assured me that the work will be completed within 8 to 9 months but I think it will take one year. 6 months will go for the piling and then the next 6 months for the elevated road. This will pose a problem for the commuters but I expect cooperation for the next year”.

A 200-meter-long diversion road with a 5-tonne carrying capacity has already been built for four-wheeler and three-wheeler vehicles. “The work has already begun on September 5 and today the work for the piling has started here. I was told that a puja was required as we believe in the Hindu and Sanatan traditions. On Hitech’s insistence, I participated in the puja. After the code-of-conduct (for bye-elections) is withdrawn, we will hold a bigger event and install a foundation stone which will be ceremoniously inaugurated by the Chief Minister and other senior ministers of our government”, Chakraborty further mentioned,

The upcoming elevated road will be 12 meters wide, featuring two lanes divided by a central divider, and will include 1.5-meter-wide footpaths on both sides.