Proposed Silsako Lake Development Project
Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, recently announced a new project aimed at enhancing the beauty of Silsako Beel in Guwahati, by creating the state’s largest lake. The proposed lake is expected to not only add to the scenic beauty of the area but also to address the persistent problem of flooding in the city.
The Silsako Beel area has been at the center of controversy, with the authorities in Guwahati beginning an eviction drive to clear the land of encroachers. As part of the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority’s efforts to make the city flood-free, around 250 illegally constructed houses in the Chanchal area of VIP Road are being removed.
The eviction drive aims to clear out illegal structures, and the proposed Silsako lake development project aims to address the root cause of the area’s flooding issues. Currently, there are around 1800 bighas of land in Silsako Beel, with 1200 bighas under the control of encroachers.
Addressing Flooding Issues in Guwahati
The project has been welcomed by many as a much-needed step towards addressing the persistent flooding issue in the city. Speaking to the media, a resident of Guwahati, said, “We have been facing flooding issues for years now. The proposed Silsako lake project is a great initiative by the government, and we hope it will help us deal with this problem once and for all.”
The Chief Minister’s tweet announcing the project has been widely shared on social media, with many people expressing their support for the initiative. In his tweet, CM Sarma shared a model of the proposed lake and said that it would be the largest lake in Guwahati upon completion.
The proposed Silsako lake development project is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy as well. It is expected to attract tourists from across the country, which will provide a boost to the local hospitality industry.
Controversy Surrounding the Eviction Drive
However, the eviction drive has not been without its critics. On February 27, authorities in Guwahati forcibly removed around 300 families and destroyed two temples to prevent the encroachment of government land in Assam. The move has been criticized by many, with some calling it a violation of human rights.
In response to these criticisms, CM Sarma said that the eviction drive was necessary to clear the land of illegal structures and to create space for the proposed lake. He added that the government was committed to ensuring that those affected by the eviction drive were properly compensated.
Overall, the proposed Silsako lake development project is a much-needed step towards addressing the flooding issue in Guwahati. The project is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy and attract tourists from across the country. However, the eviction drive has been controversial, and it remains to be seen how the government will ensure that those affected are properly compensated.
