Since the establishment of the Barak Development Council, the overall situation in the valley has deteriorated instead of improving – BDF

Currently, Barak Valley is cut off from the rest of India via both rail and road. Airfare is skyrocketing. Internal roads are in a state of disrepair. Overall, the situation has worsened instead of improving. In light of this, the Barak Democratic Front (BDF) has raised its voice.

Speaking at a press conference held at the BDF office, Chief Convenor of the BDF Media Cell, Jaydeep Bhattacharjee, stated that this has been the same scenario for decades. Every year during the monsoon, Barak Valley ends up disconnected from the rest of the country. Governments and local representatives have failed miserably to solve this problem for decades. He also pointed out that the airfare between Silchar and Guwahati has increased to ₹13,000–₹19,000, while the airfare from Agartala to Guwahati is only ₹1,600. As a result, sending a critical patient outside the valley for treatment has become an ordeal. Jaydeep remarked that despite the same party ruling both at the Centre and in the state for the past ten years, the suffering of the people in this valley continues to increase. He held local representatives primarily responsible for this.

Jaydeep stated that due to the geological condition of the hill route and Meghalaya, landslides and similar disasters are inevitable every year. Therefore, the citizens of Barak have long been demanding alternative roads and railways. However, no concrete plan has been proposed. He noted that the highway construction has been ongoing for 28 years, yet the 23-km stretch in Dima Hasao district remains incomplete. Although it is claimed the work will finish by January, its credibility remains questionable. On the other hand, a viable alternative road connecting Silchar to Guwahati via Harangajao, Turuk, Panimur, Umrangshu, and Jagiroad could be built quickly, as most of the road is already constructed; only metalling is pending. Once complete, it would reduce the distance by 70 km and make it possible to reach Guwahati in just 7 hours. Despite repeated demands from the public, the government remains indifferent. Also, the alternative Chandranathpur–Lanka railway line has undergone surveys twice, yet there’s no assurance as to when work will commence.

Jaydeep said that the fifteen MLAs and three MPs of Barak Valley have set a record of utter failure in addressing these concerns. They have even failed to keep airfare within a reasonable range for the sake of public interest. He emphasized that the government should have provided subsidies to private airlines to make air travel affordable for common people. He further said that ever since the formation of the Barak Development Council, all that has been heard are promises, with no real progress on the ground. Be it the Tarapur or Silchar flyovers, the renovation of Rangirkhal, or the repair of the Gammon and Harang bridges — the department has repeatedly failed to complete the work within set deadlines.

Jaydeep pointed out that while Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari claims India’s road infrastructure is now on par with the United States, where roads are being built robust enough to be used as runways, and plans for bullet trains are underway — Barak Valley, with its geographically strategic location crucial to national security, remains in a devastated condition. This is due to the deliberate neglect and deprivation by both the Central and State Governments. He warned that if immediate and positive steps are not taken by the government, MLAs, and MPs, they will have to be held accountable in the upcoming elections.

This information was shared in a press statement by BDF Convenor Debayan Deb.

(This story has not been edited by News Mania staff and is published from a Media Release)