The district administration has allotted land and Construction work will commence within a couple of months
The ongoing efforts to make Silsako Beel encroachment-free will have significant impact on the educational and hospitality establishments in the area. On March 1, 2023, the Assam government directed Kamrup (Metro) authorities to shift institutions like IHM Guwahati and Ginger Hotel from Silsako Beel to new locations.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been vocal about the need to clear Silsako Beel of all encroachments. In one of his tweets, he mentioned, "I have instructed the DC, Kamrup (Metro) to take steps to immediately shift institutions like Hotel Ginger, OKD Institution of Social Change, etc. from Silsako." This directive was part of a larger initiative to free the water body from unauthorised constructions.
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In September, the Chief Minister announced that land acquisition notices had been served to Ginger Hotel, which is situated on the banks of Silsako Beel. He assured the public that the government would ensure the land was vacated before the next flood season to prevent any potential hazards. However, despite these declarations, the relocation has yet to be completed, raising questions about the delay.
To understand the situation better, GPlus team visited IHM Guwahati and Ginger Hotel to gather firsthand information about the relocation timeline and the new location.
Officials from both IHM Guwahati and Ginger Hotel expressed uncertainty about the timeline and details of the move. They seemed to be in the dark about when the relocation would occur and where exactly they would be shifted.
However, speaking to GPlus, an official from the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) provided some clarity. "IHM Guwahati and Ginger Hotel will be shifted to Dharapur. Land has been allotted by the district administration, and the process is underway," the official said.
The GMDA official further elaborated, "Construction work will commence within a couple of months, and the institutions will be shifted thereafter." This announcement provides a tentative timeline, though the exact dates remain uncertain. The official also mentioned that the tennis court currently located at Silsako Beel would be relocated to Sarusajai.
IHM Guwahati, established in 1984 under the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has been a prominent institution in the region for hospitality education. It has produced numerous professionals who have contributed significantly to the hospitality industry.
Ginger Hotel, part of the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) under the Tata Group, has been a landmark in Guwahati’s hospitality sector since its inception in 2007.
Both IHM Guwahati and Ginger Hotel have faced controversies related to land acquisition and environmental concerns. The location of these institutions on the banks of Silsako Beel has been a matter of contention, with environmentalists arguing that encroachments around the water body have contributed to ecological degradation and increased flood risks.
Earlier, residents of Silsako questioned why their houses were evicted while prominent establishments like Ginger Hotel and IHM Guwahati remained untouched. This disparity has fueled anger and resentment among the local communities, who feel they have been unfairly targeted by the government’s eviction drives.
Local communities have actively protested these drives, asserting their longstanding presence in the area. Many alleged that the government shows favoritism towards influential individuals and private companies.
A resident of Silsako, seeking anonymity, expressed his frustration: “Only the structures of the wealthy remain standing. We refuse to vote this time. The ruling party has only brought us suffering and loss.” This sentiment reflects a broader feeling of disenfranchisement among the displaced residents, who believe their rights and livelihoods have been ignored in favor of powerful entities.
Adding to the controversy is the historical context of Ginger Hotel’s establishment. During the Congress government from 2006-2011, when Himanta Biswa Sarma served as the Guwahati Development Department Minister, the hotel was established by the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), a subsidiary of the Tata Group, on Silsako’s land. Residents argue that this move set a precedent for encroachments by influential entities, making the recent eviction drives seem selective and biased.
These allegations of favoritism and selective enforcement have cast a shadow over the government’s intentions. The perception that the rich and powerful can bypass regulations while ordinary citizens bear the brunt of enforcement actions has eroded public trust. The government’s assurances of fair treatment and promises of new opportunities in Dharapur are met with skepticism by those who have already faced displacement and loss.
The eviction drive at Silsako Beel, a waterbody in Guwahati, sparked significant controversy and outcry among the affected residents. During discussions with GPlus, many residents voiced their concerns, alleging that a substantial number of those evicted in the initial phase had not received adequate compensation. Although Article 14, an independent journalism platform, could not verify these claims, the discontent among the residents remains palpable.
Silsako Beel falls under the jurisdiction of the 2008 Guwahati Waterbodies (Preservation and Conservation) Act. This legislation prohibits activities such as garbage dumping, earth-filling, and construction in the designated areas of the waterbody. Any violations of this act are considered cognizable offenses under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and can result in imprisonment or fines.
Historically, the land around Silsako Beel was used by tribal farmers, predominantly from the Karbi community, for rice cultivation. Over the years, settlements of Assamese, Bengali, and other tribal communities, including Mising, Bodo, Rabha, Dimasa, and Deori, emerged in the area. For nearly three decades, successive governments have allocated land around Silsako for various infrastructure projects, including road development. Notably, before the enactment of the 2008 Waterbodies Act, Silsako Beel served as Guwahati's primary garbage dumping site.
The evictions carried out under the 2008 Waterbodies Act aim to make Guwahati flood-free. The Act empowers the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) to protect water bodies like Sarusala Beel, Silsako Beel, Borsola Beel, and Deepor Beel from encroachment and damage. The goal is to develop these areas into natural reservoirs and eco-tourism centers, contributing to the city's environmental sustainability and flood management.
Two years ago, the state government initiated the demolition of 1,203 houses in the Barbari area as part of efforts to restore Silsako Beel. This move has been met with mixed reactions. Many residents displaced by the demolition have reported not receiving the promised compensation.
However, in contrast, a senior GMDA official told GPlus, "More than 800 people of Silsako have received compensation for their evicted houses."
Currently, the status of the Silsako Beel evictions remains a contentious issue. While the GMDA continues its efforts to restore and preserve the water body, the grievances of the displaced residents persist.