Assam: Instructions to Stop Rampant Hill Cutting in Guwahati Sought from High Court

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: A suggestion for issuing specific instructions to stop rampant hill-cutting in Guwahati for three years was made before the Gauhati High Court today. The HC directed the state government to objectively consider all suggestions made by a former CEO of the GMDA while preparing the drainage master plan to make Guwahati flash flood-free.

The direction was issued by the division bench of Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice N. Unni Krishnan Nair while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL/14/2024) filed by the North East Eco Development Society regarding the issue of flash floods and waterlogging in Guwahati.

During the hearing on Monday, an affidavit was submitted by the state government about the steps being taken by the state government, including a topographical survey being conducted, and a detailed project report for the Bahini River sub-basin is in progress. However, the details are yet to come in, it was stated.

Moreover, several recommendations, including a three-year ban on earth-cutting on hills in and around Guwahati, were made.

It was pointed out that earth cutting on the hills is not done for the purpose of using the earth to fill in low-lying areas but for construction purposes. River silt from the Brahmaputra is primarily used for the purpose, the HC was told.

The bench also noted that the flash flood problem in Guwahati can be blamed on rampant earth-cutting in the hills of Meghalaya, bordering Assam. The rainwater runs off these hills and collects in the low-lying areas in Beltola and Rukminigaon. Regulation of this rainwater runoff will help control flash floods in the city. It was also suggested that the stormwater drain from the Meghalaya side with its outlet in Beltola should be diverted.

Earlier, the Gauhati High Court had directed the state government to file the status report regarding the progress of the work undertaken by the consulting agency selected to prepare the GIS-based Comprehensive Drainage Master Plan and Detailed Project Report for Guwahati city.

It also suggested that prohibition of all forms of construction activities on hills and suspending permission for house construction in hilly areas for a three-year period should be made. There was also a suggestion to make all hills in Guwahati encroachment-free.

The HC instructed the state government to review the recommendations based on the advice of the former CEO of the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA). The government has to inform the court of its decision within four weeks.

Additionally, in the affidavit submitted to the court, the government assured that all reserved forests in Guwahati would be protected.

The HC gave the state government four weeks time to submit the latest status report on the preparation of a comprehensive drainage master plan for Guwahati.

 Also Read: Assam: National Green Tribunal Notices in Maligaon Hill Cutting

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