Assam: CM tours flood-hit Silchar, announces free textbooks for affected students

A CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: The state government would provide free textbooks for the children whose families had taken shelter in relief camps due to flood, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated here in Silchar on Tuesday. Sarma, who toured Silchar along with the Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika and visited six major relief camps, said, “Like last year, we will help each and every family affected by floods in Assam in a time bound manner.” The Chief Minister handed over an ex-gratia payment to the family of one deceased victim during a meeting held at the conference hall of the District Commissioner’s office. On the other hand, leading traders and other organizations of Silchar had handed over Rs 1 crore, 14 lakh and 25 thousand to Sarma for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

While addressing a press meet, Sarma said that the government was working to solve the teething issue of drainage in Silchar city. He said that simultaneously his government was working to find an amicable solution on lines of Bharalu pumping station in Guwahati.

Touring six major relief camps established across Silchar, namely Government Boys’ HS School, Normal School, Kendriya Vidyalaya Silchar, Hiron Prova Sishu Mandir, Cosmic Market Malini Beel, and Ukil Bazar LP School ,the Chief Minister personally interacted with the affected residents, listening to their concerns and grievances. He directed the Cachar district administration, led by District Commissioner Mridul Yadav to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential commodities and services, with particular attention to the needs of vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, lactating mothers, and children. He also instructed that medical facilities remain operational round the clock and that safe drinking water be made readily available to all camp inmates. Sarma said, “I salute the resilience of the people in Cachar and elsewhere in times of these floods.  Rest assured wherever they are, we are there for their relief and rescue.”

While speaking to the mediapersons, the Chief Minister explained that rising water levels had prevented the opening of key sluice gates like the one at Betukandi, resulting in widespread waterlogging across the town. To counter the situation, the administration had deployed 10 water pumps, with more to be installed if needed. The Chief Minister highlighted the necessity of constructing a permanent pumping station in Silchar to deal with such urban flood scenarios in future. However, he stressed that this might be complemented by effective drainage infrastructure and the revival of traditional wetlands such as Malini Beel, Maheesha Beel, Rangirkhaal, and Singerkhal, which serve as natural water retention and drainage systems.

Sarma also reviewed progress on the Berenga embankment project and assured that additional funds would be sanctioned to expedite its completion. He informed that Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika will visit the site on June 10 to oversee its status. Regarding the Katigora Gammon Setu, the Chief Minister confirmed that the bridge is on track for completion by July 28. In the Tarapur Shibbari area, where roadwork was initially hampered by unstable soil, Sarma announced that deeper drilling would be undertaken to locate firm ground and facilitate a stable foundation for road construction.

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