Dibrugarh |Assam Housing and Urban Affairs, Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, and Cooperation Minister Kaushik Rai reviewed key development projects and public service initiatives during a district tour of Dibrugarh on Saturday.

Rai inspected ongoing infrastructure projects, sanitation and waste-management facilities, the Public Distribution System (PDS) and preparations for paddy procurement for the 2026-27 Kharif season.

During the visit, the minister inspected the ongoing drain construction at Chaulkhowa and the Town Hall project being implemented under the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs. He directed officials to ensure timely completion while maintaining construction quality.

The drainage project from Banipur Convoy Road to the Sesa River is expected to help address artificial flooding and improve drainage management in Dibrugarh city.

Rai also reviewed municipal sanitation and waste-management facilities, including the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and the Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP).

At both facilities, he examined waste-processing, material-recovery and scientific sludge-treatment mechanisms. He directed officials to improve operational efficiency, maintain hygiene standards and ensure compliance with environmental norms.

The minister later visited a Fair Price Shop at Lahowal to assess the functioning of the PDS. He checked the quality and availability of foodgrains and essential commodities, besides inspecting the digital weighing system.

Rai instructed fair-price shop operators to ensure beneficiaries receive their entitled ration at affordable prices and without unnecessary inconvenience.

He also visited the Kheremia Gaon Panchayat Cooperative Society’s godown and reviewed the availability of essential foodgrain stocks.

Officials and cooperative members were directed to ensure adequate arrangements for the distribution of subsidised pulses and sugar from August 10, alongside the ongoing ‘Anna Sewa Din’ initiative. Rai subsequently visited the Tengakhat Paddy Procurement Centre to assess preparations for the second crop cycle of the Kharif Season 2026-27.

He reviewed procurement arrangements, storage facilities and operational preparedness, and directed officials to ensure farmers can access the procurement system without unnecessary delays. Later, the minister chaired a joint review meeting at the Dibrugarh Deputy Commissioner’s Office with officials from the Housing and Urban Affairs, Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, and Cooperation departments.

The meeting reviewed urban infrastructure projects, sanitation and waste management, implementation of the ‘Anna Sewa Din’ initiative, preparations for subsidised pulses and sugar distribution, cooperative godown operations and the availability of essential foodgrain stocks.

Cabinet Minister Rameswar Teli, MLAs Prasanta Phukan and Chakradhar Gogoi, Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation Mayor Saikat Patra, District Commissioner Bikram Kairi, DDA Chairman Ashim Hazarika and senior officials from the concerned departments were present during the inspections and review meeting.