Silchar: Assam is making rapid strides towards becoming one of India’s top five states in development under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, said Minister for Public Works (Roads), Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, and Fisheries, Krishnendu Paul, while inaugurating the Dholai Co-District Commissioner’s Office on Tuesday.

The inaugural ceremony, held at the Forest Inspection Bungalow, was attended by Silchar MP Parimal Suklabaidya, Dholai MLA Nihar Ranjan Das, Cachar District Commissioner Mridul Yadav, newly appointed Co-District Commissioner Roktim Baruah, Senior Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta, and other senior officials. The occasion marked a significant step towards decentralised governance and inclusive development.

Addressing a gathering at the PWD Field in Dholai, Minister Paul lauded CM Sarma’s commitment to balanced growth across both Barak and Brahmaputra valleys. Recalling the long-pending demand for subdivision status for Patharkandi, he noted that the present government granted Co-district status there, unlike previous regimes. “This is not just an administrative reform, but the fulfilment of people’s aspirations,” he said to applause.

Highlighting the government’s target of establishing 78 Co-districts in Assam, Paul informed that 39 are already functional, with 10 more to be operational before August 15. For Dholai, key departments—including RKG, DDMA, Transformation & Development, Land Revenue, Food and Civil Supplies, and Panchayat and Rural Development—will operate under the Co-District Commissioner’s Office. He also announced Rs.50 crore for infrastructure development in Dholai.

Citing examples of swift governance, the minister referred to the Bhangarpar Bridge repair completed in just 25 days and the early reopening of Gammon Bridge on July 16.

He also spoke about initiatives for tea garden workers, including model schools and concrete roads, and thanked Minister for Barak Valley Development Kaushik Rai for his contributions.

MP Parimal Suklabaidya congratulated Dholai residents, calling the inauguration a milestone for Cachar, while MLA Nihar Ranjan Das described it as “a historic day,” announcing Rs.50 crore under the Assam Mala scheme for road construction and pledging efforts for a Circle Office, 50-bedded hospital, municipal board, and ITI.

Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty praised CM Sarma as “the best Chief Minister in Assam’s history” and highlighted welfare schemes like Nijut Moina, Arunodoi, and women empowerment programmes.

DC Mridul Yadav informed that 78 officials have already joined the new office to ensure prompt public service delivery. Co-DC Roktim Baruah, in his welcome address, pledged to uphold transparency and efficiency in governance.

The event was attended by District BJP president Rupam Saha, APDCL Director Nitya Bhusan Dey, CEO Zilla Parishad Pranab Kumar Bora, DIG Kankan Jyoti Saikia, Zilla Parishad president Kankan Sikidar, Assistant Commissioners Neihat Haolai and Masi Topno, Assistant Commissioner-cum-in-charge DDIPR Barak Valley Zone Silchar Deepa Das, and senior officials from various departments, alongside community representatives.