Silchar Municipal Board Becomes Corporation after 143 Years: MP Kanad Purkayastha Calls It a Historic Milestone

Silchar today marked a defining moment in its urban journey as the Silchar Municipal Board was officially elevated to the status of a Municipal Corporation. At a ceremonious event held at the new Municipal Corporation complex, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Kanad Purkayastha, hailed the transformation as a “memorable milestone in the history of our beloved city, Silchar.”

Delivering the keynote address as the Chief Guest, MP Purkayastha paid tribute to Late Kamini Kumar Chanda, the first Chairman of the Silchar Municipal Board in 1913, and acknowledged the contributions of all past chairpersons in building the city’s civic framework. “We are not merely witnessing an administrative upgrade; we are stepping into a new era of urban governance that aligns with our city’s aspirations,” he said.

He emphasised that Silchar’s upgradation to a Municipal Corporation was inevitable given its population boom, expanded municipal boundaries, and the increasing demand for better civic amenities. “This upgradation will pave the way for enhanced financial devolution, superior infrastructure, and smarter urban planning,” he added.

Acknowledging the role of the Assam government, MP Purkayastha credited Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s visionary leadership for making the transformation a reality. “It is because of his foresight and firm governance that this long-awaited transformation has finally materialised,” he stated.

He also called for urgent attention to key urban issues like water supply, waste management, drainage, and traffic regulation. He urged the newly appointed Commissioner of Silchar Municipal Corporation, Srishti Singh, IAS, to adopt a citizen-first approach in addressing these concerns.

Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty echoed the sentiment, reflecting on the legacy of the Silchar Municipal Board and highlighting development projects undertaken in recent years. He said the transition to a corporation reflects Silchar’s rapid growth and the collective aspirations of its residents.

Rajya Sabha MP and former Silchar MLA, Smt. Sushmita Dev also addressed the gathering, focusing on the drainage system and stressing the need for transparency in fund allocation and utilisation. She urged the Commissioner to ensure the timely publication of project reports and fund usage details on the official SMC website. Smt. Dev also appealed for the use of Bengali language in hoardings and banners to preserve the region’s cultural identity.

Former MLA Dilip Kumar Paul and former Chairman of Silchar Municipal Board, Niharendra Narayan Tagore, also spoke on the occasion, reminiscing about past efforts and expressing hope for improved governance under the new structure.

Commissioner Srishti Singh welcomed dignitaries and citizens, expressing her commitment to citizen-centric reforms and the speedy implementation of projects under the Municipal Corporation framework.

Prominent figures present at the event included Taimur Raja Choudhury, Editor of Samyaik Prasanga, noted lawyer Dulal Mitra, Sadhan Purkayastha, and other eminent personalities of Silchar.

The programme concluded with a collective sense of optimism for a more modern, inclusive, and well-governed Silchar under the newly formed Silchar Municipal Corporation.

— Stated in a press release issued by the Regional Office of Information & Public Relations, Barak Valley Zone, Silchar, Assam.