The Assam government’s push for the Guwahati Ring Road project took a dramatic turn on Thursday in Sipajhar’s Kuruwa area, highlighting growing concerns over its land acquisition process and raising alarm over potential human rights violations and environmental degradation.
In an operation led by Darrang district officials, bulldozers were brought in to evict families from Behenichapori village, with authorities claiming the land was acquired for the infrastructure project. The situation took a heartbreaking twist when Kanaklata Das, a local resident, collapsed in front of a bulldozer. She was quickly rushed to a hospital, and the operation was called off, leaving the officials to retreat.
While the government maintains that compensation is being provided “in accordance with the rules,” affected families argue they are being forcibly displaced without proper rehabilitation or security.
Darrang district administration officials stated that some residents, including Kumeshwar Das, Kanaklata Das, and Kumud Das, had failed to submit necessary documentation for compensation. However, the families contend that they should be given alternative land to settle, asserting that financial compensation alone will leave them homeless. This latest eviction attempt follows a December 31 deadline issued by the administration, despite ongoing disputes over compensation and relocation—pointing to the government’s “bulldozer-first” approach to development.
The Guwahati Ring Road project, which promises to be a major infrastructure boost, has also raised serious environmental concerns. Stretching 121 kilometers, the road is set to cut through ecologically sensitive areas, including the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary, where large-scale deforestation is expected to occur.
In addition, two important wetlands—Borbila and Khamenga—are at risk of significant damage. Environmental experts warn that the project could exacerbate the already intense human–elephant conflict, as the Amchang Sanctuary is a key habitat for elephants, which are already facing increasing pressure from urban encroachment.
The Guwahati Ring Road is being built under the Build-Operate-Toll (BOT) model, with an estimated cost of Rs 5,729 crore. The project includes a 56-km access-controlled bypass in northern Guwahati, widening of NH-27, and improvements to existing bypass stretches. A major bridge over the Brahmaputra River will also link Kuruwa in Darrang with Narengi in eastern Guwahati.
As bulldozers continue their advance and ecosystems shrink, the Assam government’s vision of development is increasingly clashing with the on-the-ground realities of displaced families, environmental damage, and escalating conflicts with wildlife.
