GUWAHATI: The Assam government has informed the Gauhati High Court that construction of the proposed 'Maa Kamakhya Temple Access Corridor' will not begin without due clearance from IIT Guwahati and other relevant agencies, Live Law reported.
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The court was hearing a writ petition filed by one of the four Bordeori/Borpujari families, who are responsible for running affairs of the temple peethas and the adjoining temples within the Kamakhya Mandir complex. The petitioner had raised concerns about the original structure of Kamakhya Temple and eternal springs being disturbed by the construction of the corridor.
In response to petition, Advocate General of Assam Devajit Saikia submitted that Hydrological and Geological studies of the temple's structure will be done by an IIT Guwahati team and no construction shall start until clearance is received.
Saikia further stated that the State Pollution Control Board has already provided a Consent to Establish (CTE) and the PWD, IIT Guwahati and other relevant agencies will be scrutinizing all the construction drawings, designs and clearances before a final decision is made.
"There will be no damage to the existing temple sanctum or to the internal spring(s) within the temple as apprehended by the petitioner," Saikia submitted in court.
The petitioner Navajyoti Sarma had also pointed out that except for the 'Daugarlia Rock Inscription and Rock-cut figures' and one 'stone-Gateway' within the Kamakya Mandir, none of the other temples are protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaelogical Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Furthermore, the Kamakhya Mandir Temple complex is still not included in the Assam Ancient Monuments and Records Act, 1959.
The matter is listed for further hearing on July 24.
