Silchar: Three months after the foundation stone for Silchar’s much-awaited elevated corridor was laid with much fanfare, construction work on the Rs 583-crore project is yet to begin, raising concerns among residents and civil society organisations over the delay.
The 3.5-km elevated corridor, proposed from Trunk Road near Capital Point to Rangirkhari on NH-306, is expected to ease the city’s chronic traffic congestion. The project also includes the construction of nearly 7 km of service roads.
The Assam cabinet approved the flyover route during its meeting in Silchar in November 2022. Following administrative formalities, the foundation stone was laid on March 14 this year. Though reports indicated that the tendering process had been completed and the work awarded, no visible construction activity has been seen on the ground so far.
Civil Society Seeks Explanation
Civil society groups have now sought an explanation from the authorities regarding the project’s status.
Basudev Sharma, working president of the Flyover Implementation Demand Committee, said the foundation was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, creating high expectations among the public.
“Considering Silchar’s worsening traffic situation, the flyover is a necessity rather than a luxury. We avoided launching any agitation during the Assembly elections, but now people want to know why work has not started despite the foundation stone being laid three months ago,” Basudev Sharma said. He added that the committee would soon meet district administration officials to seek details on the project’s progress and reasons behind the delay.
Sadhan Purkayastha, general secretary of Brihattar Silchar Nagarik Mancha, said daily commuters continue to face severe traffic snarls across key parts of the town, including Trunk Road, Capital Point, Central Road, Hospital Road, Rangirkhari, and Hailakandi Road.
He urged ministers from Barak Valley, local MPs, and MLAs to intervene and ensure that construction begins at the earliest.
Expected Benefits and Current Uncertainty
Experts and civic groups believe the elevated corridor will significantly improve traffic flow within Silchar and strengthen connectivity across Barak Valley. Besides benefiting Cachar, Hailakandi, and Sribhumi districts, the project is expected to facilitate smoother movement of people and goods to neighbouring states such as Mizoram and Manipur.
Improved road infrastructure is also expected to boost trade, freight transportation, healthcare access, and emergency services in the region.
For now, however, residents remain uncertain about when the ambitious project will move beyond ceremonial announcements and take shape on the ground.
