KALAIGAON, Feb 19 � The much awaited construction of the second phase of MB Road (Mangaldai-Bhutiachang Road) from Kalaigaon to Paneri was finally inaugurated on February 14 at Kalaigaon by the BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary. The vital road, connecting Mangaldai with other important places of Udalguri district, namely � Kalaigaon, Tangla, Paneri, Bhutiachang, etc., has been the lifeline of the two districts since long back. It is the only available road link for most of the tea gardens of Udalguri district, besides the strategically important Army�s Brigade HQ at Hatigarh. The vital MB Road, which was also declared as the State Highway several years back, has been lying in a dilapidated state for nearly 25 years. Various organisations including the AASU, ABSU, AJYCP, etc., have left no stone unturned to draw the attention of the Assam Government for the reconstruction of the MB Road.
It needs mention here that noted freedom fighter and social worker of Kalaigaon late Pani Ram Das had even met APJ Abdul Kalam, the then President of India, at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi requesting his intervention in the matter. Only a portion of the MB Road from Mangaldai to Kalaigaon was completed. The construction work has been so slow that the work is still going on in that portion.
The construction of second phase works of MB Road from Kalaigaon to Paneri covering a distance of 19.03 km was at last sanctioned recently under Chief Minister�s Assam Vikash Yojana at an estimated amount of Rs 28.77 crore. Another amount of Rs 18 lakh has been sanctioned from BTC development fund for the reconstruction of the Kalaigaon IB which was constructed in the 19th century during the British rule.
An inaugural function was held at the public playground of Kalaigaon on February 14 where BTC chief Hagrama Mahilary formally inaugurated the construction of the second phase of the MB Road and the new building of Kalaigaon IB. On the occasion, Mohilary said that political and social instability was responsible for the slow progress of BTC area. With the improvement of political, social atmosphere including law-and-order situation, development activities would speed up in BTC, he said. Rihon Daimari, Minister, PHE, Assam, attending the programme as the guest of honour, said that a new horizon of development has opened in BTC under the leadership of its chief Hagrama Mohilary.
Thaneswar Malakar, Deputy Commissioner, Udalguri and a noted writer, also spoke a few words on the occasion as a special guest. He remarked that with the improvement of the road and communication system, a few places of Udalguri would draw the attention of tourists from all over the world. He said that Udalguri has bright prospects in the tourism sector and it can easily match places like Shimla, Darjeeling, Gangtok through development of infrastructure. Several distinguished guests, namely � Emanuel Musahari and Mitha Ram Basumatari, both EMs of BTC, Jagadish Sarkar and Dandi Ram Rabha, both BTC MCLAs and Debjyoti Dutta, ADC-cum-SDO (C), Bhergaon subdivision attended the inaugural ceremony.
