GUWAHATI, Feb 1 � The Nabagraha Path-Chenikuthi Hill-Side Nagarik Samiti has opposed the proposed move to shift the district courts to the veterinary campus at Chenikuthi and has sought the intervention of the Chief Minister to shelve the proposed move at the earliest.
Reportedly, the Chief Justice (Acting) of Gauhati High Court has sent a proposal to the State government for accommodating around 25 different courts of Kamrup (Metro) in the veterinary campus.
The veterinary campus has stood out as an oasis amidst the concrete jungle surrounding the area and is home to different species of endangered birds and flora. This campus is used by the elderly as well as the children for walking and relaxing. The open space with lots of trees infuses fresh air into the polluting environment all around and keeps a balance in the ecology of the area.
The Samiti while regretting the proposed move, said that on implementation it would not only create heavy traffic congestion, but would also spoil the old charm of the area. �Several schools are located in the area and because of this there are traffic snarls every day in the area that does not have a single wide road. If the proposal is implemented, there will be further rush of people and vehicles and this will compound the already unmanageable traffic congestion and endanger the lives of the school children and general public,� the Samiti pointed out.
The Samiti said that as the locality with its old charm ranks amongst the oldest localities in the city, therefore it is the duty of every citizen to preserve and protect it against concretisation and congestion.
It needs to be mentioned here that residents of the area recently organised a public meeting to protest against the proposal to convert the veterinary ground into a court complex. The meet urged the State government for conversion of the veterinary campus into a children-cum-senior citizens� park, which would also serve as an open space in the event of a natural disaster, particularly earthquake.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the Nabagraha Path-Chenikuthi Hill-Side Nagarik Samiti led by one of its advisers Pradip Kakati today met the Chairman of the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) Dhiren Barua and expressed their resentment over the proposal of the Chief Justice (acting) of Gauhati High Court to construct the court complex at veterinary campus at Chenikuthi.
The delegation informed the GMDA Chairman that the entire area surrounding the veterinary campus is one of the oldest thickly populated residential areas surrounded by a number of educational institutions and in case the court complex is shifted to the veterinary campus, the entire area would be affected badly and give rise to traffic congestion, a press release stated.
The delegation further pointed out that according to the State Disaster Management Authority, an open space is necessary in each area of the city to accommodate the victims in case of any eventuality, the release stated.
It also added that the GMDA Chairman promised to look into the matter and also take up the matter with the State Government.
