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Guwahati: The eviction drive in Guwahati’s Silsako area resumed on Tuesday as part of the Assam government’s plan to develop a large reservoir in the region. The operation is being carried out in the presence of Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, who said the drive aims to clear nearly 800 bighas of encroached land.
As part of the process, several government institutions are being relocated. The office of the Institute of Cooperative Management was evicted today and temporarily shifted to Rehabari. It will later be moved to Sonapur. The Institute of Hotel Management is also set to shift from Silsako later this month. In the coming days, the tennis court and Hotel Ginger will also be relocated in a phased manner.
Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said, “We aim to clear all encroachments from Silsako. Many families have already been evicted and compensation has been provided. Some government organizations that were allotted land here are also being shifted.”
Meanwhile, local residents continue to raise concerns over pending compensation. Speaking to The Guwahati, Ghanakanta Das, president of the Silsako Bilpar Samiti, said nearly 1,000 families have been evicted since February 27, 2023. Of these, around 700 to 800 families have received compensation—₹10 lakhs for RCC buildings, ₹5 lakhs for Assam-type houses, and ₹1 lakh for temporary chali ghars.
“Some families are still awaiting compensation due to lack of awareness or incomplete documents. Many of them have now submitted the necessary papers,” Das said.
He also informed that the Bilpar Samiti has held meetings with both Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah regarding rehabilitation. “The government has assured us, but if no solution is found soon, we may be forced to take further steps,” he added.
