Staff reporter
Guwahati: In a decisive move aimed at addressing Guwahati’s perennial flood woes, the Assam government on Tuesday resumed demolition drives at the ecologically sensitive Silsako Beel area, razing the Institute of Cooperative Management (ICM) to make way for a proposed water reservoir.
Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Jayanta Mallabaruah oversaw the eviction process, stating that the reservoir project was central to the state’s vision of a flood-resilient Guwahati. The clearance is part of a broader initiative to reclaim nearly 800 bighas of wetland, which experts have identified as a vital stormwater catchment area.
“Today’s eviction marks another step in our mission to make Guwahati flood-free. Reclaiming Silsako is crucial for building a sustainable urban future,” said the Minister, while addressing reporters at the site.
The ICM demolition follows the recent relocation of the Omeo Kumar Das Institute. Authorities confirmed that the Institute of Hotel Management, a nearby tennis court, and Ginger Hotel are also slated for eviction in the coming weeks.
The Silsako Beel, along with Deepor Beel, functions as a key natural buffer during heavy rainfall. The upcoming reservoir, officials said, will store excess runoff and gradually release water into the Brahmaputra via the Bondajan outlet — particularly critical during high discharge periods when the river’s water level exceeds that of the city.
According to the Minister, the evictions are being carried out with “both procedural and humanitarian considerations.” The displaced ICM has been provided temporary accommodation in Rehabari and a permanent site in Sonapur, along with financial compensation.
“We are conducting the institutional evictions one by one, ensuring both due process and proper rehabilitation,” Mallabaruah emphasized.
The remaining evictions are expected to be completed within this monsoon season, following which reservoir excavation will begin in the dry months. Once operational, the reservoir is projected to significantly increase Guwahati’s flood-management capacity and improve its overall climate resilience.
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