GUWAHATI: The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has begun demolishing bridges over the Bahini river channel, as per media reports.
The civic body has launched an eviction drive to first clear the encroached lands near the river.
Bahini River channel is one of Guwahati's five stormwater-carrying river channels.
An order from the Gauhati High Court, over five years ago prompted the Kamrup (Metro) Administration to issue the new directive that led to the action.
The civic body will be demolishing 26 bridges that were built illegally or below the high-flood level as part of Mission Flood Free Guwahati.
According to a directive from the Kamrup Metropolitan district's Deputy Commissioner's office, these bridges are impeding the river's natural movement.
The order was issued after a public interest litigation (PIL) petition was filed with the Gauhati High Court by one Debendra Narayan Deka, who sought to have the 26 bridges over the Bahini River repaired.
The DC order specified that the bridges must be demolished so that the Bahini River can be effectively de-silted during the rainy season and stormwater can flow freely.