SILCHAR: Ending the long wait, the newly elected board of the Silchar Municipal Corporation (SMC) formally took charge on Thursday with the swearing-in of all 42 ward commissioners.

The ceremony was attended by Minister Kaushik Rai and Krishnendu Paul, MP Parimal Suklabaidya, Sushmita Dev and Kanad Purkayastha.

Following the oath-taking ceremony, Ward No. 37 Commissioner Amarendra Pal was unanimously elected Mayor of the Silchar Municipal Corporation. Ward No. 9 Commissioner Bijendra Prasad Singh was elected Deputy Mayor.

With the formation of the new board, the city is set to enter a new phase of development over the next five years. The new leadership is expected to work in coordination with all ward commissioners to improve urban infrastructure, modernise civic services and implement various development projects.

Making Silchar cleaner, more beautiful and equipped with modern civic amenities will be among the major challenges before the new municipal board. Residents will now look to the new leadership to bring visible improvements in the city’s overall development during its five-year tenure.