Silchar, Aug. 6: The members of the Silchar Citizens' Forum have demanded completion of the East-West Corridor (Mahasadak) as early as possible.
Forum president Shyamal Kanti Deb told reporters this morning that on October 10, 1998, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had announced the project as part of which Silchar will be connected with Saurashtra via roadway. The 3,300km Silchar-Saurashtra road was supposed to be completed by 2007. However, it has not been completed till date.
Deb said on July 30, 2015, the National Highways Authority had cited forest clearance as the major reason behind the pause in the work for the Balacherra-Harangajao stretch (a part of Mahasadak).
However, clearance was not needed as the forest, which lies along the road, falls under "unclassed" category.
"Unclassed" forest is an area recorded as a forest, but not included in "reserve" or "protected forest". The authorities also said the work of other dilapidated portions of the Mahasadak would be completed by 2016, but nothing has happened so far.
The forum's general secretary, Dhruba Kumar Saha, said the incumbent government, like the earlier Congress governments, is showing a similar attitude on the Mahasadak issue.
He alleged that the government has been careless for which people in Barak Valley have been deprived of development.
The forum members have threatened to launch a "severe agitation" if the road is not completed soon.
The PWD, fisheries and excise minister, Parimal Suklabaidya, today told this correspondent that he will hold talks with the authorities concerned regarding the matter and also with chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal urging him to take necessary steps.
He said the government is committed to fulfil all its promises and the people will not be deprived of development. On forest clearance, he said necessary formalities are being done.
Sanjeev Jain, general manager (project), National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd - which is assigned the responsibility of constructing the Mahasadak - said, "The tender-floating process is under way and work of the 31km Balacherra-Harangajao dilapidated stretch will begin after the process gets completed."
On forest clearance, he said a proposal has been sent to the Shillong forest department and hoped that the procedure will be completed soon.
Silchar MLA and Deputy Speaker of Assam Assembly Dilip Kumar Paul said Rs 818.44 crore has been earmarked by the Centre recently for the corridor project.
Around Rs. 576.30 crore will be spent on constructing a four-lane road along the Borail wildlife sanctuary and the estimated time to complete the project is two-and-a-half years.
Paul said three bridges, three tunnels and 14 culverts will be built between Balacherra and Harangajao as part of the project.
He added that completion of the project will be a boon for the residents of Barak Valley.
Sources said the road between Balacherra-Harangajao is in terrible condition in many locations, including Durbin Tilla, Devinala, Harangajao and a few others. Some portions from Harangajao to Mahur are in a shambles too.
The road in those locations has many deep pits besides craters and its condition becomes horrible during monsoon when chances of mishaps are always there. The foundation stone of Vajpayee's dream project was laid in 2004 by then minister of surface transport B.C. Khanduri and Union finance minister Jaswant Singh.
