Municipal Board to Corporation : Silchar marches towards modernity

way2barak, June 30: “This is a memorable milestone in the history of our beloved city Silchar,” said Member of Parliament, Silchar Rajya Sabha, Kanad Purkayastha ,the Chief Guest on the occasion, delivering an impassioned address on the historic occasion of the elevation of Silchar Municipal Board to Silchar Municipal Corporation . The event, held on Monday at the premises of Silchar Municipal Corporation complex in a spirited atmosphere filled with civic pride and anticipation, marked a transformative chapter in Silchar’s urban development journey.

In his keynote address, MP Purkayastha paid glowing tributes to Late Kamini Kumar Chanda, the first Chairman of Silchar Municipal Board in 1913, and remembered the successive chairmen who contributed to building the foundation of civic administration in Silchar. “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 remarked.

Stressing the city’s strategic and cultural significance as the heart of the Barak Valley, he noted that the transition to a Municipal Corporation was inevitable given the population growth, expanding municipal boundaries, and increasing urban demands. “This upgradation will pave the way for enhanced financial devolution, superior infrastructure, and smarter urban planning,” he stated.

MP Purkayastha expressed profound gratitude to Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, hailing his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to equitable development across both the Brahmaputra and Barak Valleys. “It is because of his foresight and firm governance that this long-awaited transformation has finally materialized,” he added.

He also underscored the urgent need to prioritize key civic challenges under the new municipal framework,particularly drinking water supply, waste management, drainage improvement, and traffic regulation. He appealed to Srishti Singh, IAS, the newly appointed Commissioner of Silchar Municipal Corporation, to adopt an action-oriented and citizen-focused approach in addressing these concerns.

Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty, while addressing the gathering, elaborated on the rich legacy of the Silchar Municipal Board and highlighted numerous developmental initiatives undertaken during his tenure. He spoke of infrastructure upgrades, beautification projects, and improvements in civic amenities that laid the groundwork for this transition.MLA Chakraborty emphasized that the elevation to a corporation was a reflection of Silchar’s rapid growth and the collective aspirations of its people.

Adding further dimension to the event, MP, Rajya Sabha and former MLA Silchar ,Smt. Sushmita Dev delivered a detailed address focusing on the water drainage system of Silchar. She also laid stress on furnishing the funds allocated and utilized over the past five years, underlining the importance of transparency and monitoring. Smt. Dev urged Commissioner Srishti Singh to ensure timely uploading of project reports and fund utilization details on the official SMC website for public accountability. She also made a heartfelt appeal for use of the Bengali language in banners and hoardings related to upcoming projects, to preserve the cultural and linguistic identity of the region.

Former MLA of Silchar, Dilip Paul, also took the stage and shared his reflections on the earlier days of the Silchar Municipal Board and the aspirations of the citizens for a better governed and developed city. Echoing similar sentiments, Nihar Ranjan Thakur, former Chairman of SMB, appreciated the State Government’s bold decision and congratulated the stakeholders for achieving this long-standing demand.

Earlier, Commissioner, SMC, Smt. Srishti Singh, IAS, welcomed all dignitaries and participants in her address. She expressed her commitment to responsive governance, citizen-centric reforms, and faster implementation of development projects under the new municipal framework.

Among the distinguished personalities present on the dais were Shri Taimur Raja Choudhury, Proprietor and Editor of the renowned Bengali daily Samayik Prasanga, along with renowned lawyer of the region, Dulal Mitra, Sadhan Purkayastha, and other eminent citizens of Silchar who have played instrumental roles in shaping the city’s narrative.

The program concluded on a high note, with a renewed sense of purpose and collective hope for a modern, inclusive, and resilient Silchar under the banner of the Silchar Municipal Corporation.

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