Minister Hazarika launches Rs 4.80 crore RCC drain project to resolve chronic waterlogging in Silchar

way2barak, Dec 23:- In a significant step towards strengthening urban infrastructure and addressing long-standing civic challenges in Silchar, Assam’s Minister for Water Resources and Public Health Engineering, Pijush Hazarika, on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of a Rs 4.80 crore RCC drain project over Singirkhal near Radhamadab Akhra at Bilpar. The project is aimed at providing a permanent solution to chronic waterlogging while ensuring smooth movement of two- and three-wheelers in one of the city’s busiest zones.

The foundation stone-laying ceremony was held in the presence of Minister Kaushik Rai, Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty, Cachar District Commissioner Mridul Yadav, IAS, along with senior officials and other prominent personalities. The project envisages the construction of a 480-metre-long RCC drain along with a paved passage, a move expected to bring major relief to residents, traders and commuters of Bilpar, Fatak Bazar and the adjoining New Market area.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Pijush Hazarika said the project was not merely a construction initiative but a long-term civic solution designed to improve everyday life for the people of Silchar. He stated that urban pockets such as Bilpar and Fatak Bazar witness heavy commercial and pedestrian activity, and unresolved drainage issues directly impact public safety, traffic flow and economic activity. Emphasising the need for scientific and durable infrastructure, the minister said the Assam Government has consciously moved away from temporary measures towards well-planned projects that offer lasting benefits.

The Minister stated that the sanctioned amount of Rs 4.80 crore reflects the government’s commitment to investing adequately in quality infrastructure. The construction of the RCC drain over Singirkhal, combined with a dedicated passage for two- and three-wheelers, would ensure smooth water discharge during the monsoon while enabling safer and uninterrupted movement throughout the year. Such integrated planning, he added, is essential for sustainable urban development in growing towns like Silchar.

Reiterating the development philosophy of the present Assam Government, Minister Hazarika said that people-centric governance remains at the core of all initiatives, with priority given to projects rooted in ground realities and long-pending public demands. He stressed that infrastructure development is being pursued uniformly across the state, including the Barak Valley, to ensure balanced regional growth and improved civic amenities for all sections of society.

Concluding his address, Minister Hazarika assured that the Water Resources Department would closely monitor the project to ensure timely completion without compromising quality. He appealed to local residents for cooperation during the construction phase and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to undertake sustainable, citizen-friendly infrastructure projects that make daily life safer, easier and more dignified for the people of Silchar and the wider Barak Valley.

Earlier, Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty, speaking on the occasion, described the day as one of joy and historic importance for the people of Bilpar and the surrounding commercial hubs. He said residents and traders of Fatak Bazar and New Market have long suffered due to water accumulation, particularly during the rainy season, and the new project would provide a permanent solution. Expressing gratitude on behalf of the people of Silchar, he thanked Minister Pijush Hazarika for personally laying the foundation stone of the project and Minister Kaushik Rai for his support, terming the initiative a landmark development for the locality.

The MLA also extended heartfelt thanks to party workers and local residents for their cooperation in making the programme successful, noting that public participation plays a crucial role in ensuring effective implementation of development works.

This is stated in a press release issued by Regional office of Information & Public Relations Barak valley Zone Silchar Assam.