Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects valued at approximately Rs 340 crore in the districts of Cachar, Hailakandi and Sribhumi on March 14. The events took place in Silchar and were aimed at advancing the Barak Valley's growth trajectory.
At the function in Silchar, Dr Sarma dedicated the State Secretariat, Barak Valley, to the people of the region. The Secretariat complex, constructed over 15 bighas and covering 18,585 square metres, was completed in 36 months. It includes the Secretariat building, auditorium, guest house, Chief Minister’s residence, officers’ quarters and accommodation for Grade-III and Grade-IV employees. Various departmental offices occupy the Secretariat, with the sixth floor housing offices for the Chief Minister, the Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister and the Minister of the Barak Valley Development Department. The auditorium provides seating for 747 individuals and the complex features an entrance gate and clock tower.
Dr Sarma described the day as historic for the Barak Valley’s development. He highlighted the government's focus on decentralising administration and promoting balanced development across Assam, noting that decision-making was traditionally centred in Guwahati. "A session of the Assam Legislative Assembly was held in Kokrajhar, and a new Secretariat has been established in Dibrugarh along with the ongoing construction of an Assembly complex there," he said. The Chief Minister expressed pride in inaugurating the new Assam Secretariat in Silchar, underlining the aim of bringing government services closer to the people, eliminating the need for long-distance travel to district or state headquarters.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Silchar Convention Centre at Shilkuri, Borkhola Assembly constituency, built at a cost of Rs 15.6 crore. The centre features a 142-seat conference hall, guest rooms, an entrance lobby, presidential and VIP lounges, a media room, and parking for around 80 vehicles. Dr Sarma noted the centre would fill a long-standing need for a suitable venue for meetings, seminars and training in the Silchar area.
Dr Sarma also laid the foundation stones for three projects in Cachar: a Rs 13.14 crore road widening from Birbal Bazar to Silchar Medical College Point; a three-storey Burn Unit at Silchar Medical College and Hospital; and a modern wholesale fish market under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana project costing Rs 25 crore.
Virtually inaugurating projects in Hailakandi, he marked the completion of the Rs 12.65 crore Hailakandi Circuit House, the new Government VMHS School building at Rs 7.67 crore, and a multi-storey Youth Hostel at the district stadium costing Rs 2.98 crore. He also laid foundation stones for multiple bridges in Hailakandi with a combined investment of Rs 50.65 crore.
In Sribhumi district, Dr Sarma laid foundation stones for an 800-seat auditorium and cultural centre at Patharkandi costing Rs 22.89 crore, along with several bridges estimated at around Rs 30 crore. These bridges will be constructed on routes including Patharkandi-Hazarichak road and over the Longai River. Additionally, foundation stones were laid for a five-storey co-district office building at Patharkandi valued at Rs 19.42 crore and a Primary Health Centre at Sonakirat with an estimated cost of Rs 2.42 crore.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed the State Government's commitment to the comprehensive development of Barak Valley and its residents, stating that these projects would accelerate progress in the three districts and contribute to Assam’s position among the most developed states in the country.
Minister of Barak Valley Development Department Kaushik Rai, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Krishnendu Paul, MPs Parimal Suklabaidya and Kanad Purkayastha, several MLAs, Chief Secretary Dr Ravi Kota and other dignitaries attended the ceremony.