Silchar Is Assam’s Remotest City”: MP Parimal Suklabaidya Urges Better Air Connectivity

On Wednesday (July 30), Member of Parliament Parimal Suklabaidya raised the long-standing demand for better air connectivity from Silchar in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Monsoon Session. Calling Silchar “Assam’s remotest place”, he urged the Civil Aviation Minister to introduce a direct flight between Silchar and New Delhi.

Speaking during the Parliament session, Suklabaidya pointed out that travelling to and from Silchar is extremely difficult, especially during the monsoon. “Commuting is only possible through roads, railways, or airways. But for at least three months a year, roads and railway lines are often closed due to landslides,” he said, addressing the chair Dilip Saikia.

He explained that currently, people from Silchar have to depend on connecting flights through Guwahati, Kolkata, or other cities to reach Delhi. “Earlier, we had flights connecting Silchar to Tripura and Meghalaya, but now we don’t have those either. Even the Air India flights to Delhi via Kolkata or Guwahati have stopped. That’s why we are requesting a direct Silchar-Delhi flight,” he added.

The MP shared a video of his address on social media, stating that Silchar is not only important for Assam but also serves as a transit point for nearby northeastern states like Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya. Many students, patients, officials, businesspeople, and other travellers depend on Silchar to reach other parts of India.

He highlighted the following benefits of a direct flight:

• It would improve regional connectivity.
• It would promote tourism, trade, and access to healthcare.
• It would reduce travel time and offer more comfort to passengers.
•  It would support the Government’s UDAN scheme that aims to make air travel affordable.

MP Suklabaidya mentioned that the demand for a direct flight had been submitted earlier in writing, but no action was taken. “That’s why I had to raise it in Parliament today,” he said.

Locals from Silchar and the Barak Valley often struggle during monsoon due to poor roads, blocked railways, and costly air tickets. A direct and affordable flight to Delhi could bring much-needed relief to the region.