Mini Secretariat in Barak Valley to come up

Special Correspondent

Silchar, April 17: After the coming to power at Dispur, the BJP led Sonowal Government has set out its priority to remove all differences between Brahmaputra and Barak Valleys. With that objective and for administrative convenience and decentralization of power, Sarbananda Sonowal has made it clear this can be achieved by having a Mini Secretariat in Barak Valley. When asked about the progress so far made in planning the proposed secretariat, Parimal Suklabaidya, Minister of PWD, Excise and Fisheries, told The Sentinel, “This is a very important matter which calls for serious thought and for that necessary infrastructure has to be built up.”

The Minister added to say a committee with the Deputy Commissioners of the three districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi would be soon set up to examine all details for selection of proper site and also for administrative expediency. He assured there would be no political interference in this people oriented planning. Whatever is done in setting up the secretariat should be a matter of pride not only for the people of this generation but also for the next generation. The directive of the Chief Minister would be taken into serious consideration.

Moreover, the important aspect of road, rail and air connectivity has to be kept in mind. “If everything goes on well, the foundation stone of the secretariat can be expected by the end of this year,” Parimal Suklabaidya pointed out. On the question of building flyover from Rangirkhari to Tarapur in order to ease the burgeoning traffic congestion of this town, he said survey has been carried out by a Delhi based firm. Further assessment and survey is on slate. There is also the proposal for having a flyover at Srikona in the outskirts of this town over railway track that has become another major irritant in the easy flow of vehicular traffic.

In fact, as Suklabaidya revealed, 40 to 45 flyovers over railway tracks across the State are planned. The estimated cost on these flyovers will be shared on the basis of 50-50 by the State and the NF Railway. He shared another important information about the inauguration of two new bridges in Barak Valley, one at Sadarghat of this town and the other to link by-pass with NH-54. Both the bridges are over river Barak. He expected before the next Bengali new year or Bohag Bihu, the Chief Minister would inaugurate both the bridges. The bridge that is being built by his department at Sadarghat is based on new technology, the first of its kind in the country.