Silchar : With the Assam Assembly elections nearing, the Barak Democratic Front (BDF) has asked the state government to clearly spell out its stand on long-pending issues of the Barak Valley, warning that voters will judge the next government on these unresolved problems.

In a press statement, BDF chief convenor Pradip Dutta Roy said the monsoon will arrive soon after the elections, and people of Barak Valley may again face floods and broken communication links. He recalled that after the devastating floods of 2022, renovation of canals like Rangi Khal in Silchar and Karimganj was announced, but only about 30 percent of the work has reportedly been completed.

In many places, guard walls have already collapsed due to poor quality work, he alleged. Replacement of weak embankments and damaged sluice gates has also been unsatisfactory, he added.

Roy said the proposed dredging of the Barak River under the “Namami Barak” programme has stalled due to lack of political will. Flood-related disruption of rail and road links continues every year, yet no effective alternative arrangements have been made. He pointed out that the Chandranathpur–Lanka alternative railway line should have been taken up urgently, but the project has not even started.

On the much-talked-about six-lane road from Panchgram to Barapani, he said even the Chief Minister has failed to give a clear assurance. Though the highway project may be completed after 22 years, doubts remain about its safety during the monsoon in landslide-prone Dima Hasao.

Calling Silchar a neglected and underdeveloped city, Roy said BDF’s demand to include Silchar–Guwahati and Silchar–Kolkata air routes under the UDAN scheme has been ignored. Instead, a Silchar–Agartala flight has been introduced, while routes like Silchar–Imphal have been discontinued. He also said people are still worried about the safety of the Gammon Bridge at Badarpur despite renovation.

He stressed that without a permanent solution to floods and connectivity issues, real development of Barak Valley is not possible. He also noted that work on the proposed elevated corridor in Silchar has not begun, and there is no visible progress on the proposed Multi-Modal Logistics Park in Cachar.

Referring to the BJP’s Vision Document, Roy said High Court benches were promised for both Silchar and Dibrugarh. While a bench has now been announced for Dibrugarh, there is no word on Silchar. He also questioned why Dibrugarh has been declared Assam’s second capital, while Silchar, the state’s second-largest city and far from Guwahati, has been ignored. Even the mini-secretariat in Silchar remains incomplete, he said.

BDF media cell convenor Joydeep Bhattacharjee said the creation of the Barak Development Department shows the government has accepted the valley’s backwardness, but real work on industry and jobs is missing.

He recalled the Chief Minister’s promise to build an industrial hub on the abandoned Panchgram paper mill land, which has seen no action. He also pointed to missed opportunities in bamboo-based ethanol plants, small paper mills, and gas-based industries.

Unemployment remains a serious issue, Bhattacharjee said. While recruitment of youths from Barak into government jobs has increased slightly, it is still far from enough. He demanded reservation of Class III and Class IV posts for local candidates, noting that a law already exists but has not been implemented. Private sector jobs are also very limited, he added.

BDF convenor Hrishikesh Dey said the tea industry, the valley’s main industry, is in deep trouble. Floods, high costs, lack of investment, and poor infrastructure have pushed many tea gardens to the brink of closure. Agriculture is also suffering, with farmers leaving the sector due to floods, droughts, and uncertain income. He said the government has failed to promote alternative crops or build strong flood and drought control systems.

Dey also said the long-standing demand to rename the station as “Bhasha Shahid Station” is still pending. Work has not started on the Vivekananda Cultural Centre despite land being allotted. Tourism projects like Bhuvan Pahar development, a ropeway, zoo, and science museum remain only on paper. He welcomed the announcement of an agricultural university but said it must be implemented quickly.

While thanking the government for building new bridges over the Barak River and improving some internal roads, BDF demanded clear answers on all pending issues before the elections. Based on the government’s response, the party said it would appeal to voters to decide their choice accordingly.

The statement was issued by BDF convenor Debayan Deb.

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