GUWAHATI: Under intense public pressure from senior citizens, students, and environmental groups, the Assam government has decided to reassess its plans for a flyover near Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati, opting to explore alternative designs to save heritage trees around the historic area.
ALSO READ: Construction Firm In Guwahati Fined ₹1 Lakh for Drain Blockage
In a statement on its official X account on Wednesday, October 30, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that Chief Secretary Ravi Kota had held discussions with senior Public Works Department (PWD) officials to examine options for adjusting the design of the GNB flyover. "Instructions have been issued to draft a revised traffic flow plan so that the flyover either ends on GNB Road itself or follows an alternative route, thereby sparing the heritage trees surrounding Dighalipukhuri," read the CMO statement. The PWD has been tasked with submitting a detailed report within a week, outlining feasible solutions.
Earlier in the day Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing the controversy, reassured the public of the government’s commitment to balancing infrastructure development with the preservation of Guwahati’s natural heritage. "We are sincerely working to protect the old trees in the area," Sarma stated, urging stakeholders to allow the PWD time to explore proposals that would avoid harming the environment around Dighalipukhuri.
The government’s reconsideration comes amid rising protests at Dighalipukhuri, where citizens have voiced strong opposition to the proposed felling of over 20 heritage trees. The historic pond and lush greenery of Dighalipukhuri hold deep cultural significance, tracing back to the Ahom era and serving as an essential green space for the city.
On Tuesday, October 29, demonstrators—including students from Cotton University—held a night vigil, gathering from 9 pm to 5 am to demand an alternative solution. The group has formed an organisation, 'Save the Greenery and Biodiversity of Dighalipukhuri,' and has petitioned the National Green Tribunal (NGT) with plans to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to safeguard the area’s ecology and cultural heritage.
The proposed six-kilometre flyover, set to connect the Reserve Bank of India area with Noonmati, has sparked concerns over potential ecological damage and the lasting impact on Guwahati’s historical landscape.