In a significant show of public pressure, the Flyover Implementation Demand Committee orchestrated a large-scale signature campaign in Silchar on Tuesday. The movement aims to jumpstart the construction of a proposed flyover, a project seen as critical to alleviating the town's persistent and worsening traffic snarls.
Widespread Public Support for Urban Upgrade
The campaign witnessed enthusiastic participation from a cross-section of Silchar's society. Residents from all age groups, including school students and senior citizens, lined up to sign a petition backing the infrastructure project. This overwhelming response underscores a broad community consensus on the urgent need for better traffic management and modern urban planning in the growing town.
Public Meeting Highlights Necessity
The day's events commenced with a public gathering near the Khudiram statue around 11 am. Speakers at the meeting pointed to Silchar's expanding population and the consequent surge in vehicular numbers. They argued persuasively that the existing road network has become utterly inadequate to handle the current traffic volume. Committee representatives stressed that the flyover is now a necessity for Silchar's future growth, not merely a luxury.
Political Allegations and Delays
Former MLA Dilip Kumar Paul, who participated in the campaign, levelled serious allegations regarding the project's delay. He stated that the flyover proposal was approved back in 2015 but has since been stalled due to political opposition. Paul specifically accused the Congress party and some Left-leaning leaders of obstructing its progress. He contrasted Silchar's plight with Guwahati, which has successfully built multiple flyovers to manage its traffic.
Following the charged public meeting, the signature drive was formally launched, amassing thousands of endorsements from concerned citizens. To formalize their demand, a delegation later submitted a detailed memorandum to the district administration. The memorandum urges the authorities to expedite the project's initiation, highlighting that the flyover would reduce critical traffic bottlenecks, enhance road safety, and boost overall urban development in Silchar.
