PM Modi unveils Rs 23,552 cr projects for Barak Valley
Marking a significant milestone for regional development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, unveiled a suite of transformative projects worth Rs 23,552 crore for the Barak Valley on Saturday. The initiative, launched at a programme in Silchar, aims to bolster connectivity and strengthen infrastructure across the region.
The Prime Minister performed the Bhumi Pujan for the 167-kilometre Silchar High-Speed Corridor and laid the foundation for the Silchar flyover and the Patharkandi Agricultural College. These projects are designed to boost regional connectivity, alleviate persistent traffic congestion, and enhance agricultural education.
Chief Minister Sarma hailed the day as historic for the valley and the entire State. He highlighted that the new Silchar-Guwahati corridor, spanning from Mawlyng Klang near Umiam in Meghalaya to Panchgram, will reduce the distance between the two cities to 252 kilometres. Crucially, this corridor is expected to reduce travel time from eight and a half hours to approximately five hours.
Addressing the audience, the Chief Minister noted that the project was initiated following the Prime Minister’s recognition of the recurring disruptions on the existing route via Haflong. He remarked that Assam has received unprecedented investment under the current leadership, including the substantial outlay for the Silchar-Guwahati corridor and the proposed tunnel project beneath the Brahmaputra, estimated at Rs 20,000 crore.
Further development plans include a corridor connecting Srirampur to Guwahati to ensure seamless travel to Siliguri within ten hours. Additionally, the State Government has secured environmental clearance for the construction of the Doloo Airport, with work slated to commence imminently.
Sarma emphasised that the Government has addressed the long-standing grievances of Barak Valley residents, ensuring equitable development across the Barak Valley, Brahmaputra Valley, and the hill and plain regions. He also announced that the new Rs 565 crore flyover in Silchar, stretching from Trunk Road to Rongirkhari Point, will resolve long-standing traffic issues. Other regional developments include a planned medical college and an ongoing super-speciality block at the Silchar Medical College.
To expedite growth, the Government has established an agricultural college at Patharkandi at a cost of Rs 122 crore. With the inauguration of the Assam Secretariat for the Barak Valley, the regional pace of development will be further accelerated. He, therefore, described the present period as a golden era for Assam. During this time, the State Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has built a strong foundation for peace, development, and industrial growth in the State.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister for Barak Valley Development Kaushik Rai, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Krishnendu Paul, Members of Parliament, Parimal Suklabaidya, Kripanath Mallah, and Kanad Purkayastha, along with several legislators and many other distinguished guests, were present on the occasion.
