Guwahati, Feb 15: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on February 15 announced that construction of the long-pending Maa Kamakhya Temple Access Corridor Project will soon resume following approval from the Gauhati High Court. Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister stated that the project had remained stalled due to ongoing legal proceedings but can now move forward after the court permitted the state government to proceed with the proposed corridor at the sacred Kamakhya Temple.
On February 13, the High Court disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and a writ petition that had challenged the project. The PIL had sought a White Paper on the construction plan and alleged possible violations of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Petitioners had also expressed apprehensions that the development work might harm the temple’s structure, affect underground holy water springs, and interfere with religious practices.
However, the court observed that the state government had secured all necessary approvals from relevant authorities and research institutions. An affidavit submitted earlier by the Special Commissioner and Special Secretary of the PWD (Building & NH) Department, Assam, clarified that the Maa Kamakhya Temple Access Corridor Project is being implemented under the PM-DevINE (Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East) scheme to facilitate development of the temple area.
According to the affidavit, the temple’s frontal façade and vista had been compromised over time due to unplanned residential and commercial constructions crowding the open spaces in front of the shrine. The proposed corridor aims to improve amenities for pilgrims, provide all-weather access facilities, and enhance the overall infrastructure and visual appeal of the temple complex.
During the hearing, the Advocate General informed the court that the project had been conceptualised with the clear understanding that there would be no disturbance to the architecture or ancient sculptures in and around the sanctum sanctorum. The state government also acknowledged concerns regarding the potential impact on underground natural water springs associated with the temple.
To scientifically examine these issues, the government engaged the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati to conduct hydrological and geophysical studies of the proposed construction site. An MoU was signed in June 2024 between the PWD (Building), Assam and IIT Guwahati for this purpose. Additionally, the National Institute of Hydrology was commissioned to carry out an independent assessment of possible hydrological and geophysical impacts.
The National Institute of Hydrology subsequently submitted its report, which was vetted by IIT Guwahati. The findings indicated that the corridor project is viable and can be executed without causing damage to the sacred underground springs or the temple’s ancient structures, the court noted.
With judicial clearance and technical validation from leading research institutions now in place, the Assam government is preparing to restart construction of the Kamakhya Corridor project in the coming days.
