Barak NGO urges Centre to look into East-West Corridor clearance

From Our Correspondent

Silchar, Feb 2: President of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Memorial Swartha Suraksha Parishad, an NGO, Haran Dey in a letter addressed to the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for sanctioning an amount of Rs.1 lakh crore for the development of roads and construction of a few bridges in Assam. Haran Dey requested Nitin Gadkari to sanction amount for constructing a bridge at Anpur Ghat or Madhura over Barak River in order to facilitate expansion of Silchar town which is getting over crowded day by day. Dey has also stressed on the construction of a few flyovers.

In addition to this, Haran Dey has urged upon the Union Minister to look into the matter of East-West Corridor Mahasadak as environment clearance is being awaited for Balacherra-Ditakcherra 30 km stretch which falls under a sanctuary. Speaking to The Sentinel over telephone, Haran Dey said, “I have mentioned in the letter that very less importance has been given to the 60 km stretch of the Mahasadak from Ditakcherra to Mahur through Harengajao, as it falls in the sinking zone and road may not be viable unless alignment is changed.” Dey further said that the present condition of this portion is deplorable and fate of this will be like that of broad gauge.

The Parishad in another letter addressed to Prime Minister rendra Modi, pleaded for an underground road below River Brahmaputra connecting Majuli with Jorhat. This is essential, as it will boost up tourism in Majuli and its neighbouring areas. The proposal will not be unreasoble because a similar decision has been taken to construct a road below River Ganges in Howrah in the form of metro rail of Kolkata. The Parishad also mentioned in the letter that a bridge in Majuli is the call of the hour and instead of constructing a rail cum road bridge, an underground road below River Brahmaputra will be a historic one. The NGO has been most vocal in bringing into limelight the various problems and issues related to the development of road and transport.