A defining moment for Silchar’s urban infrastructure unfolds today as the Cachar District Administration convenes a high-stakes public meeting regarding the proposed Trunk Road to Rangirkhari Elevated Corridor.
The meeting, scheduled for 3:00 PM at Bhanga Bhawan, comes amidst a volatile atmosphere. While the government promotes the project as a fulfillment of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s vision for decongesting the town, local trade bodies are mounting stiff resistance, fearing the current alignment will decimate the town’s commercial backbone.
The Flashpoint: Demarcation vs. Dialogue
The timing of today’s meeting is critical. Reports from the ground confirm that authorities have already commenced the demarcation process for land acquisition, sparking anxiety among property owners along Central Road, Premtola, and Hospital Road.
The Land Acquisition Branch has framed today’s session as an exercise in “transparency and community participation.” However, stakeholders argue that starting demarcation before the public hearing contradicts the spirit of civic engagement.
“THE SUCCESS OF THIS COLLABORATIVE EXERCISE DEPENDS GREATLY ON THE PRESENCE OF THE PEOPLE,” STATED THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION’S OFFICIAL RELEASE, URGING PROACTIVE PARTICIPATION FROM CITIZENS.
Merchants’ Ultimatum: “Economic Devastation”
The primary opposition stems from a powerful coalition of trade bodies, including the Hospital Road Merchant Association and the Central Silchar Traders Association.
On November 12, these groups submitted a joint memorandum to the Chief Minister, warning that the proposed alignment would lead to “mass unemployment” by displacing hundreds of micro and medium-scale businesses that have operated in the city center for decades.
Key Objections Raised by Traders:
- Commercial Displacement: The current route cuts through Silchar’s busiest market districts.
- Flawed Logic: Traders argue the flyover targets fast-moving traffic, whereas the congestion in these areas is caused by local, slow-moving commercial activity that a flyover won’t solve.
- Alternative Route Ignored: The associations have proposed an alternative alignment via Silchar Radio Station → Police Ground → Central Jail, which utilizes government land and minimizes private demolition.
Project Snapshot: The ₹564 Crore Blueprint
Despite the protests, the government is moving fast to meet construction deadlines.
- Total Budget: ₹564.50 Crore
- Civil Construction: ~₹464.50 Crore (Contractor: Shree Gautam Construction).
- Land Acquisition Fund: ₹100 Crore (Specifically allocated for compensation).
- Route: Trunk Road (near Capital Point) to Rangirkhari Point (approx. 3.5 km).
All Eyes on Bhanga Bhawan
Today’s event will be led by Minister Koushik Rai (Guardian Minister for Cachar), alongside local MPs and MLAs. The administration is under pressure to explain why the Capital Point alignment is being prioritized over the Radio Station alternative suggested by the public.
With the Right of Way (ROW) demarcation already visible on the streets, today’s meeting at Bhanga Bhawan is expected to be less of a presentation and more of a confrontation. For the residents of Silchar, the question remains: Is the administration seeking feedback, or simply announcing a decision that has already been made?
Meeting Details:
- Date: Today, November 19, 2025
- Time: 3:00 PM
- Venue: Bhanga Bhawan, Silchar
