Guwahati: The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) is considering conducting an eviction drive at the Deepor Beel, which is situated on the South West side of Guwahati City, following the eviction of the Silsako Beel.
As per some reliable sources, several more traders from outside the state purportedly inhabit the Pamohi side of the beel and have unlawfully built warehouses, causing the natural ecosystem to be destroyed.
State cabinet members Pijush Hazarika and Jayanta Malla Baruah arrived visited the banks of the Deepor Beel in Khanamukh on Thursday for a thorough investigation at the request of the state’s chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Though the two ministers have not mentioned anything about the eviction drive, however, during a media interaction Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika said, “Deepor Beel, a unique natural land in Guwahati, has become dirty, leading to its natural environment. Today, on the instructions of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, we are present on the banks of The Deepar Beel for a thorough investigation. At Khanamukh, I held a discussion with the Department of Water Resources, Forest Department, Tourism Department and Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority regarding a plan to clean and rejuvenate the bill by inserting some quantity of water from the Brahmaputra through the stream.”
The minister has also ordered close vigilance in order to prevent flooding in the nearby areas caused by this water.
“In the coming days, the Government of Assam will take all steps so that we can save the Deepor Beel naturally,” added Minister Hazarika.
Apart from Minister Pijush Hazarika, state tourism minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita, GMDA chairman Narayan Deka, Guwahati Municipal Corporation Mayor Mrigen Sarania among others visited the Deepor beel for an inspection.
Meanwhile, Guwahati Development Minister Minister Ashok Singhal also conducted an aerial survey of the locations which also includes Bharalu, Mara Bharalu and Basistha-Bahini rivers in Guwahati city.
Almost 250 buildings that were built illegally on Silsako Beel near the Chanchal section of VIP road were removed last Monday as part of the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority’s (GMDA) endeavour to keep the Guwahati city flood-free.
There are about 1800 bighas of land in Silsako Beel, of which 1200 bighas are encroached upon, according to government reports.
Speaking to the media, Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), Chairman, Narayan Deka said, “A total of 1200 bighas of land in Silsako is under the control of encroachers. At this point of time, it is not possible to evict everyone in a single go. Those within 100 meters between the water channels on the periphery of Silsako Beel upto Narengi will be evicted from Monday.”