GUWAHATI, July 11 � Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today asserted that the ongoing eviction drive to clear the city�s natural drainage channels such as Bharalu, Bahini and Bondajan, would be taken to its logical conclusion in an unbiased manner.
�There is no question of acting leniently on influential people illegally occupying land near the channels. The channels would later be dredged and the reclaimed area fenced to prevent any bid at encroachment,� Gogoi said at a press conference.
To a question how such a large number of people could settle down on the protected area for so long without tacit support of government authorities, especially the GMC and GMDA, Gogoi said a probe would be instituted to get to the roots of any illegalities on the part of officials.
To another question whether the Ginger Hotel located in the middle of the Silsako wetland would be spared, Gogoi said the law would take its own course. �If it is located on encroached land, it would be demolished,� he said.
Eviction drive: Meanwhile, after undertaking an eviction drive for 12 consecutive days in and around major water bodies in the city, the Kamrup Metro administration will now expand the drive to areas in the vicinity of the National Highway 37.
A senior district administration official told The Assam Tribune today that starting from tomorrow, a massive anti-encroachment drive will be undertaken on National Highway 37 from Khanapara to Jalukbari.
�Artificial floods have affected communication and disrupted transportation on the NH-37 in the past during rainy season. We want to clear up all blockages and allow free flow of rainwater to the streams, drains and rivulets in the vicinity of the NH 37 and all illegal encroachments will be cleared during the drive,� the official said.
So far, the drive had been limited to water bodies like Bharalu, Bahini, Basistha rivers and the Silsako Beel.
�While clearing up the encroachments from the water-bodies is essential to allow unhindered outlets for the rainwater, the NH 37 is a strategic artery and cannot be allowed to become clogged time and again,� the official said.
Meanwhile, the district administration, along with officials from the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and the Pollution Control Board, conducted a major anti-polythene drive in Fancy Bazar locality of the city and sealed two godowns, besides seizing a huge amount of polythene of below 40 microns which is a banned item.
In the meantime, the eviction drive around the water-bodies continued for the 12th consecutive day and a huge number of illegal structures were demolished today.
Along the Mora Bharalu, 200 metres of concrete wall spread over three kathas of land were cleared, while 11 pucca houses, two kuccha houses and nine boundary walls were demolished in Bormotoria locality near Bahini river leading to clearing of three bighas of land.
Along the Basistha river, ten kuccha houses and five pucca houses were evicted and two bighas of encroached land were cleared during today�s drive.
