Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court has issued a stern directive to the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and the Assam Public Works Department (PWD) to investigate allegations of earth filling in the Deepar Beel area.
A high court bench of Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi on Monday (July 29) asked both authorities to submit an affidavit detailing any ongoing earth filling activities and necessary permissions obtained for the same.
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The high court order comes in response to a PIL filed by activist Pramod Kalita and two others raising concerns regarding the protection of Deepor Beel, including challenges related to illegal construction and waste management.
“P. Nayak, learned counsel appearing for the respondent GMDA as well as PWD is directed to file affidavit on behalf of responsible officer specifying whether any earth filling is going on in the Deepar Beel area, and if such earth filling is going on, whether necessary permission from the respective department(s) has been obtained or not,” the HC order read.
Interestingly, in the hearing on Monday, the Assam government made a contradictory statement regarding earth-filling in the Deepor Beel area. While asserting on May 27 that no such activity was taking place, the government admitted on Monday that earth-filling is occurring in specific locations.
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The Assam government, represented by senior advocate D Nath, informed the court that the survey to determine High Flood Levels (HFL) in six villages within the Deepar Beel area has been completed for four villages.
The Assam government’s counsel further informed the court that survey in the remaining two villages would be completed within a week and the report would be finalised within 10/15 days.
The court has granted the Assam government time till August 12 to submit the survey report and an affidavit.
The matter will be heard again on the same date.