Assam: Locals oppose new railway line near Deepor Beel
Guwahati: Local residents and environmental activists have raised strong objections against the ongoing survey conducted by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NF Railway) for the multi-tracking of the existing Broad Gauge (BG) railway line from Azara to Tetelia (Sonapur) on the outskirts of Guwahati.
The survey is being carried out in Mikir Para Charkardo Revenue village in Assam's Kamrup (M) district, which falls within the periphery of Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary and Rani Garbhanga Reserved Forest.
In a memorandum submitted to the NF Railway General Manager (Construction), the leaders of at least five organizations including Deepor Beel Suraksha Samiti, Assam Tribal Sangha, and Assam Hill Tribal Council alleged that the survey was initiated without any prior public hearing or consultation with the local residents.
The villagers of Mikir Para Charkardo, mostly indigenous tribal people, fear displacement and loss of livelihoods due to the project.
They said their land has already been acquired twice for railway line construction, leading to displacement and loss of livelihoods.
“The NF Railway in the past acquired land from the villagers twice for railway projects. This indigenous tribal community will be rendered landless and displaced if they are forced to sacrifice land again for railway projects," said Nripen Ingti, general secretary of the Assam Hill Tribal Council.
The villagers further highlighted the project's potential negative impact on the biodiversity of Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary and Rani Garbhanga Reserved Forest.
“The expansion of the railway line is seen as a threat to the biodiversity of Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary and Rani Garbhanga Reserved Forest,” said Pramod Kalita, general secretary of Deepor Beel Suraksha Samiti.
“The proposed survey contradicts the recommendations of the Wildlife Institute of Dehradun, which suggested realigning the existing railway tract to minimize the impact on wildlife corridors,” Kalita added.
He pointed out that the proposed railway line would disrupt crucial elephant corridors, endangering the wildlife in the area.
The memorandum calls upon NF Railway to reconsider its plans and explore alternative routes that would minimize the impact on the environment and the local residents.
The organizations have urged the NF Railway authorities to conduct a thorough public hearing and address their concerns before proceeding with the project.