Construction of boundary wall of historic Borpukhuri begins

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

SIVASAGAR, April 30: The Sivasagar tank or Borpukhuri was dug by Queen Ambika, second wife Swargadeo Siva Singha in the year 1731-1738. It has been a centre of tourist attraction with historical importance as three famous dols (temples) built during the Ahom era mely Siva Dol, Devi Dol and Bishnu Dol.

The unique feature of this historic tank which was built on an area of around 130 acres, is that water level always remains the same irrespective to amount of rain throughout the year. But the tank has been facing a challenging journey due to negligence of concerned authorities and political leaders of the district. The boundary wall of the tank is a glaring example of apathy.

To revive the beauty of the tank at its four sides, Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner Virendra Mittal has taken a laudable initiative. With Rs 7.5 lakh received from ONGC, Assam Asset as first installment out of Rs 25 lakh, the Deputy Commissioner has started construction and renovation works of the boundary wall from the north bank side. The total length of the boundary wall around the tank is 9,364 feet.

Instead of handing over the construction work to any contractor, the Deputy Commissioner has formed a construction committee with Sivasagar Revenue Circle Officer Tapan Goahain as president, Sivasagar Treasury Officer bajyoti Gogoi as member secretary, PWD executive engineer Rajib Borpuzari and ASI official Bikash Das and two conscious citizens, Dr Prakash Kotoky and Dr Saumar Jyoti Mahanta, as members, so that the historic tank gets its picture perfect look without any delay and corruption.

DC Virendra Mittal in presence of Sivasagar Superintendent of Police Bibekanda Das, ONGC, Assam Asset, executive director Budhin Deori, noted social worker Saurav Chaliha and other dignitaries laid the foundation stone of the construction project on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, Mittal said, "With the beginning of the Assamese new year, the district administration received an amount of Rs 7.5 lakh from the ONGC, Assam Asset as first installment out of Rs 25 lakh, which will be invested in the construction and renovation work of the boundary wall of the historic Borpukhuri."

"Since a huge amount is required to complete the project around the entire circumference of the tank which measures 3.1 kms, at present the more damaged portion at the District jail side will be taken as top most priority for the construction," said Mittal and added that the district administration had also started communication with the ONGC for renovation and preservation of the historic Dkhow Bridge over the river Dikhow.