Jalukbari Point set to get a new look

GUWAHATI, Aug 18: The Jalukbari Point in Guwahati is heading for a different look yet again, with the sole aim of adding beauty to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Samadhi Kshetra there, courtesy State Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal.     

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Rs 10-crore project has already got approval. Come next winter, the tiol Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is going to start execution of the project. 

“It has been a dream project of the Chief Minister who did ask his Chief Secretary to translate the dream project into a reality. The Chief Secretary, on his part, has all along been trying to make the project see light of the day. And the approval of the DPR is the outcome of such a tecious effort,” an NHAI official said.

The Chief Minister has been laying stress on adding beauty to the Bhupen Hazarika Samadhi Kshetra located near Jalukbari Chowk that still has land like the one meant for a round park lying unused. He wants that the Chowk looks like other important chowks in capital cities elsewhere in the country. His is idea is to make the chowk attractive for viewers who, including foreign tourists, want to pay obeisance to the cultural icon. 

“The project is a real challenge for us as the site has the Samadhi of Sudhakantha. With that in mind, we need to make sure that the Samadhi is clearly visible from everywhere in its vicinity. The DPR of the project has been prepared by taking all such aspects into mind. The entire work will be done in phases,” the NHAI official said. Jalukbari Chariali did witness a number of successive changes in the past few years. Till a few years back there was a park – Lachit Park. Lachit Park was meant for adding beauty to the spot. However, then came Rajiv Gandhi Chowk, meant mainly for easing out traffic congestion there. However, both Lachit Park and Rajiv Gandhi Chowk disappeared when the flyover over tiol Highway 37 came up at the site. The fresh initiative being taken is to add beauty to the site and the Samadhi of cultural icon Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.