HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, July 23: In a focused effort to strengthen urban governance and service delivery in Silchar, Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Assam, Housing and Urban Affairs Department, Kavitha Padmanabhan, IAS, undertook a day-long visit to the town on Tuesday.
The visit was aimed at reviewing key civic infrastructure, assessing sanitation standards, and addressing persistent urban challenges faced by residents.
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The information was shared through an official statement issued by the Department.
Accompanied by senior officials, including Srishti Singh, IAS, Commissioner of the Silchar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Executive Officer Nabuttam Sharma, officials of the Assam Urban Administrative Service (AUAS), and representatives from Shristi Waste Management, the Commissioner & Secretary inspected multiple areas under the jurisdiction of the SMC.
The team visited markets, main roads, dumping sites, and the peripheral zones of the Urban Local Body to assess the on-ground status of cleanliness, solid waste management, and general civic upkeep.
Particular emphasis was placed on sites vulnerable to waterlogging during the monsoon season.
Locations such as Rangirkhal, Longai Khal, and Sonai Road—known for recurrent drainage and flooding issues—were surveyed in detail.
The Commissioner & Secretary interacted with field staff, reviewed existing infrastructure, and took stock of challenges impeding effective flood mitigation and waste disposal.
During the inspection, the visiting team observed bottlenecks in solid waste collection, poor sanitation in public areas, and inefficiencies in drainage systems.
In response, Padmanabhan directed municipal officials to adopt a proactive approach in resolving civic grievances, strengthening frontline services, and improving coordination among departments.
Later, a comprehensive review meeting was chaired by the Commissioner & Secretary at the SMC office. Senior officials, engineers, waste management representatives, and line department heads participated in the deliberations.
The discussions centred on key issues such as urban flooding, garbage disposal, cleanliness in commercial zones, and sustainable waste handling practices.
The meeting highlighted the importance of timely interventions, data-backed planning, and responsive governance.
It also underlined the need for better community engagement and accountability mechanisms to ensure the consistent delivery of urban services.
Officials were instructed to prioritise mission-mode implementation of improvement measures and submit action plans within defined timelines.
Addressing municipal officials and stakeholders, Kavitha Padmanabhan reiterated the Assam Government’s commitment to transforming urban centres like Silchar into cleaner, liveable, and more sustainable towns.
She stressed the importance of integrated urban planning, active public participation, and efficient use of resources to deliver long-term benefits to residents.
The visit concluded with clear directives issued to the municipal authorities to expedite necessary interventions, plug service gaps, and prepare the city infrastructure to better withstand seasonal vulnerabilities.
The Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, the official statement added, will continue to monitor progress and extend all necessary support to the SMC to realise the shared goal of improved civic management in Silchar.
