Sushmita Dev Seeks for Affordable Air Travel Amidst Barak Valley's Storm Woes

The transportation situation in Barak Valley, Assam, has reached a critical point due to ongoing storms and infrastructure challenges, prompting urgent appeals for intervention.

Amidst the struggles faced by the people of Barak Valley due to the region’s landlocked condition, Sushmita Dev emerges with her letter urging action. Recognizing the dire situation where residents find themselves stranded due to disrupted transportation links, Dev takes decisive action. With unwavering determination, she directs her efforts towards addressing the plight of Barak Valley by highlighting the pressing issues to Mr. Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and Mr. Chetan Kumar Srivastava, General Manager of N.F. Railway. Through her letters, Dev seeks urgent solutions to alleviate the woes of the valley’s residents.

Rajya Sabha MP, Sushmita Dev has penned letters to key authorities seeking immediate solutions. Dev highlights the dire condition where the valley is virtually cut off from the rest of the region due to disrupted road, rail, and air connections.

In a letter addressed to Mr. Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Dev highlights the skyrocketing airfares accelerating the situation. With land transportation halted by landslides and other issues, air travel remains the only viable option for many, despite the risks posed by adverse weather conditions.

Dev stresses the need for the Ministry of Civil Aviation to step in urgently, either by reducing airfares or establishing low-budget air services to ensure public accessibility to and from Silchar Airport, which serves not only Barak Valley but also neighboring districts and states.

Furthermore, Dev’s communication with Mr. Chetan Kumar Srivastava, General Manager of N.F. Railway, emphasizes the recurring disruptions in rail connectivity during the monsoon season. Despite significant investments in the broad-gauge line project, technical and safety issues persist, leading to frequent disruptions and posing risks to commuters.

Dev cites a previous safety report dating back to 2015, which warned of potential catastrophic disasters due to landslide and tunnel collapse risks along the railway route. She urges immediate measures from the Railway Ministry to address these concerns and ensure uninterrupted and safe rail services for the people of Barak Valley.

Highlighting the long-term implications, Dev calls for consideration of alternative railway routes, such as one from Silchar to Lanka via Chandranathpur, to mitigate future disruptions and enhance connectivity in the region.

Copies of both letters have been forwarded to the Union Railway Minister and the Honorable Prime Minister of India for their attention to the pressing transportation issues facing Barak Valley.

According to the IMD’s report, Barak Valley is expected to experience bad weather with thundershowers until May 12, which could prolong the region’s landlocked condition. During such times, airlines appear to be the only viable option for travel. However, it has been observed that ticket prices have soared, making it difficult for the general public to afford them. Sushmita Dev’s efforts to seek assistance in reducing airfares and proposing alternative routes appear to offer potential solutions that could ease the difficulties faced by the people.