DIBRUGARH, March 25 - Veteran public cause work horse, Dibrugarh Nagarik Sangha (DNS) today came out with its wish list for the development of Dibrugarh and its suburbs. The Sangha has published a leaflet and is distributing it in the city for the citizens to mull over the contents.
DNS president Jogendra Nath Borah and joint secretaries Ron Duarah and Prof. Kumud Chandra Borah said those contesting elections from the Dibrugarh and Lahowal constituencies too need to study the leaflet and tell the voters where they stand on the issues raised therein. The 20 points that have been enlisted are all aimed to bring about viable changes for sustained development of Dibrugarh and its surrounding localities, said Prof. Borah.
The leaflet has also reminded the people that casting of votes is a sacred duty of the citizens for a vibrant democracy, and that all must come out to vote. �If a citizen feels none of the candidates is of his or her choice, the voter then should press the NOTA (�none of the above�) button on the EVM, but please go out and vote,� said the Sangha�s office bearers.
Issues that have been raised by the Sangha include long standing demands of the citizens here. These include a 200-bed super specialty civil hospital, a better and expanded Dibrugarh (Banipur) railway terminus, heritage status to Dibrugarh Town Railway Station, upgrading Dibrugarh Municipal Board to a municipal corporation, widening of arterial roads to four-lane capacity with footpaths, improved and scientific drainage, introduction of DEMU local trains in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar and Jorhat districts with Dibrugarh and Dibrugarh town stations as the pivots, besides LED and high mast street lighting throughout the city.
On the road, air and water communications, the Sangha stressed the need for a full-fledged river port on the Brahmaputra either at Mohanaghat or Maijan, a proper ISBT near the Convoy Road railway crossing at Molokhubasa, and a truck terminus on the Bogibeel approach, with all ancillary facilities. Proper expansion and maintenance of the Dibrugarh Airport at Mohanbari was demanded, to facilitate movement of bigger and full-load aircraft.
Construction of a downstream plastic industrial estate near Lepetkata to take advantage of the gas cracker project, an international standard sports complex and a global cultural exchange centre were included in the Sangha�s wish list.
A unique demand of the Sangha was the one seeking construction and development of an international standard academic campus near the city. Elaborating on the matter, the Sangha�s spokesmen said this campus would be a place for pursuing academics from the primary to post-doctoral levels, encompassing Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Medical and specialised branches like Aeronautics, Astrophysics, to build a pool of globally-efficient human talent.
Given the load � and huge academic losses to students � on the Dibrugarh Government Boys� HS School and the district library campus for election purposes, the Sangha has also called for immediate construction of a public utility complex where all election vote counting, ballot box storage, and other public events can be hosted.