HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Jan 28: Historic milestone was set in Barak Valley’s development journey as minister for food & public distribution, consumer affairs, mines & minerals, and Barak Valley development, Kaushik Rai, spearheaded the first review meeting of the Barak Valley Development Department. Convened at the new conference hall of the DC’S office in Silchar on Monday, the meeting marked a transformative moment in the region’s development trajectory.
The landmark event witnessed the presence of Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty, Udharbond MLA Mihir Kanti Shom, Sonai MLA Karim Uddin Barbhuiya, and other eminent MLAs from the three districts of Barak Valley. Senior officials, including District Commissioner of Cachar Mridul Yadav, District Commissioner of Karimganj Pradeep Kumar Dwivedi, and District Commissioner of Hailakandi Nisarg Hivere, along with departmental heads, also participated actively.
The review meeting aimed to evaluate the progress of ongoing projects and the implementation of state and central government schemes for the comprehensive development of Barak Valley. Rai stressed the pivotal role of the Barak Valley Development Department in strengthening ties between Guwahati and the Barak Valley.
During his address, the minister announced that the Barak Valley Mini Secretariat is set to be completed by December 2025, with an inauguration ceremony to be presided over by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
A thorough review of several significant projects was conducted, highlighting their importance in shaping the region’s future. Notable initiatives included the Barak Valley Mini Secretariat, Karimganj Medical College, and the 500-bedded New SMCH Block, which is expected to be operational by October 2025. The Super Speciality Hospital at SMCH, with advanced departments like Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nephrology, and Urology, was another focal point of discussion.
Additional projects such as the Lakhipur District Hospital, Convention Centre at Silcoriee ,slated for completion by March 2025, District Library ,scheduled for December 2025, and a range of highway and expressway developments, including the East-West Corridor, Silchar-Vairengte 4-Lane Highway, and Barapani-Panchgram Expressway, were also reviewed. Further emphasis was placed on educational infrastructure projects like the G C College University and New Model Degree Colleges at Dholai and Lakhipur.
Minister Rai highlighted the transformative potential of the 500-bedded emergency hospital, set to revolutionize healthcare in the Barak Valley. He also underscored the role of the upcoming Super Speciality Hospital at SMCH in meeting specialized medical needs.