Silchar: Stressing the need for collective efforts in the development of Barak Valley, Cachar Guardian Minister Krishnendu Paul on Sunday appealed to citizens to actively contribute ideas and suggestions for the region’s progress.

He was speaking at an interaction programme with prominent citizens organised by the Barak Valley Development Department at a hotel in Silchar. The event focused on gathering public feedback and discussing the government’s development agenda for the valley.

Paul said the Assam government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, has been pursuing balanced and inclusive growth across the state. He said the people’s support in the recent elections reflected their trust in the government’s development policies.

Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister for assigning him and Minister Kaushik Rai the responsibility of the Barak Valley Development Department, Paul said they would work sincerely to ensure faster implementation of projects across the three districts of the valley.

“The department wants to hear directly from the people. Your suggestions will help us identify priorities and strengthen the pace of development,” he said.

Highlighting the government’s vision for a self-reliant Assam, Paul said the Atmanirbhar Assam initiative aims to transform the state into a strong economic hub in the Northeast. He also referred to several infrastructure projects, including new roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), and said more development works are in the pipeline.

The minister also spoke about the proposed development of Son Beel, saying it has the potential to boost fish production, create employment opportunities and promote exports, thereby strengthening the local economy.

Referring to welfare schemes, Paul said the government is working to provide safe drinking water to every household by 2028 through the Jal Jeevan Mission, with a target of supplying 55 litres of water per family each day. He added that the Swachh Bharat Mission continues to play a key role in improving sanitation and public health.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Kaushik Rai said the Barak Valley Development Department was created to monitor the performance of different government departments and ensure effective coordination for timely completion of projects.

He identified urban flooding as one of the region’s biggest concerns and said illegal encroachments on khals and drainage channels have worsened the situation. “Removing these encroachments is necessary. It will take time, but the process will be carried out,” he said.

Rai also informed that elections to the proposed Silchar Municipal Corporation are expected before Durga Puja and that preparation of the electoral rolls is currently in progress.

Giving an update on major infrastructure projects, the minister said preliminary work for the proposed Silchar flyover, including soil testing by the Public Works Department, will begin shortly before construction starts. He added that repair work on the Birbal Bazaar to Silchar Medical College and Hospital road will also commence soon.

The programme was chaired by Krishnendu Paul and attended by Silchar MP Parimal Suklabaidya, MLAs Dr. Rajdeep Roy, Kishor Nath, Aminul Haque Laskar, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Rajdeep Goala and Amiya Kanti Das, BJP Cachar president Rupam Saha, AGP Cachar president Nazmul Haque Mazumder and former Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty. The event was organised by the Barak Valley Development Department under the supervision of Additional Secretary Aditya Vikram Yadav.