Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates Barak bridge; foundation of 5 projects laid

Special Correspondent

SILCHAR: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday inaugurated the much-awaited bridge over Barak river from the other end at Rongpur which was followed by the laying of foundation stones of five different projects by remote. These included another bridge over Barak to connect this town with Dudhpatil, the largest cluster of villages of the valley, a mini secretariat, a new auditorium with all modern facilities, a district library, an upgraded sports stadium and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Study Centre.

The packed makeshift auditorium at Police Parade ground of the town cheered and applauded the Chief Minister, describing him as a ‘magnanimous politician’. It was no cosmetic appreciation from the milling crowd at the auditorium as no other Chief Minister earlier has visited the valley with packages of development. Quite rightly, Sonowal took a jibe at Congress and said, “What they did for this valley during their long 55 years of rule?’ He continued to say “Look at our two and half years of governance, difference is clear. This is my seventeenth visit.”

The Chief Minister said, “With support and also constructive criticism of people of Assam, my government has been receiving the strength and inspiration to do everything good for them. Both the valleys of Barak and Brahmaputra are looked at from the same angle without any discrimination”.

“Both the valleys are rich in natural resources, culture and heritage which has given Assam a place of pride and distinction, he pointed out. The bridges will facilitate easy and fast communication, a sine qua non for development”, the Chief Minister said.

He also spoke about a new vista opening up with much-hyped South East Asia connectivity bringing 13 countries of the region in one circuit. The pace of economic activities can better be understood than imagined, the Chief Minister added to say. Transformation is possible through transportation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

This valley has a lot of talented youths who need right education and direction. “Youths have to be competitive to stay and advanced in this competitive world. Around the world, our young boys and girls have shown their merit and talent in whatever fields they have been placed,” the Chief Minister stated.

“The youths have been exhorted to follow the ideals and words of wisdom of Swami Vivekananda. The Vivekananda Study Centre here will be a treasure trove of knowledge and moral education. Youths and students in particular have to make better use of it,” Sonowal further said.

Education has to go along with sports culture and with that objective in end, the modern sports stadium will be set up. The Chief Minister said, “A new look mini secretariat, a long time public demand, will remove both travel time and expenses and make things easy and fast for the people of this valley.”

Former Union Minister Kabindra Purkayastha was all praise for Sonowal for his dynamic and vibrant approach. Dilip Kumar Paul, MLA, quoted the famous lines from Tagore ‘ananda dhara bahiche bhuvane’ to say Sarbananda is synonymous with all-round development of this valley. MLA Kishore Nath hailed the Chief Minister as a messiah of people who look towards him with hopes and expectations. After the programme, a bike rally by BJYM activists was flagged off with Parimal Suklabaidya, Minister of Forest and Fishery, on the forefront as a part of the poll campaign of BJP. Rajesh Kemprai, principal secretary and commissioner PWD, was with the retinue of the Chief Minister.

Also read: Traffic restricted on shaky Barak Bridge