Around 160 houses demolished in eviction drive at Silsako Beel

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: In order to deal with the problem of artificial flooding in Guwahati and to protect biodiversity, the Kamrup (metro) district administration launched an eviction drive at Silsako Beel on Monday. The eviction drive was carried out on 100 metres of land on both sides of the water channel that runs along the Silsako Beel.

Around 160 houses - from makeshift huts to concrete buildings – which had been built on encroached land, were razed to the ground. While some encroachers had vacated the land after getting a notice from the district administration, most of them refused to vacate, and today, their dwelling houses were destroyed during the eviction drive. Out of the 1,800 bighas of notified area of the Silsako Beel, around 1,000 bighas-1,200 bighas are under encroachment. And out of 453 houses built on encroached land at Silsako Beel, around 160 were demolished today.

Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) chairman Narayan Deka told media persons, “We have plans to set up a water reservoir in the Silsako Beel so that floodwaters can drain into the wetland. We are determined to tackle the problem of artificial flooding in the city.” Fencing work on the evicted land has also begun.

“The State Revenue Department had demarcated the area of the Silsako Beel but people who encroached upon the land pushed the boundary for their convenience,” said Deka.

Kamrup (metro) Deputy Commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha told media persons, “Silsako Beel is very important for both ecology and urban planning. The GMDA has decided to clear all water channels in and around the city as soon as possible.” The eviction drive will continue till the Silsako Beel is made free of all encroachments.

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