Gaurav Gogoi Raises Alarm Over Barak Valley's Connectivity Issues

Concerns Over Connectivity in Barak Valley

Hailakandi, July 27: The president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, Gaurav Gogoi, voiced significant worries regarding the declining road and rail infrastructure in Barak Valley during a press conference on Sunday. He pledged to address these concerns in the current session of Parliament.

Gogoi pointed out the inadequate internal communication systems affecting the three districts of the valley—Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi—stating that the region's 5 million residents are enduring hardships due to ongoing governmental neglect.

He mentioned, “I will bring the issue of road connectivity in Barak Valley to the attention of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. A comprehensive representation will be submitted in Parliament to demand immediate action.”

The condition of National Highway 6 (NH-6), which serves as a crucial route for the area, is alarming, with numerous potholes and damaged edges making large sections impassable. Reports indicate that it takes commuters over three hours to travel just 50 kilometers to Silchar.

These poor road conditions have repercussions not only for locals but also for residents of Tripura and Mizoram, who rely on Barak Valley for their surface transport needs.

Residents have been advocating for a flyover at Badarpurghat, where ineffective traffic management and deteriorating roads frequently lead to significant delays, causing train passengers to miss their scheduled departures.

In addition to connectivity challenges, Gogoi raised concerns about the persistent flooding in Barak Valley, promising that the Congress party would address this humanitarian issue in relevant forums. He also criticized the state of healthcare services in the valley's districts.

As the 2026 Assam Assembly elections approach, Gogoi stated that the Congress party will prioritize issues such as unemployment, forced evictions, mismanagement, and rampant corruption under the BJP government led by Himanta Biswa Sarma.

He accused the Chief Minister of using eviction drives as a distraction from pressing issues.

Gogoi also mentioned that discussions are ongoing to form a pre-poll alliance with like-minded parties.

Later that day, he engaged with the residents of Hailakandi to better understand the specific challenges and grievances faced by the district.