The Times of India               08.05.2013

Garbage dumping stretch to become park

The GMC has identified this stretch of land from Supermarket Police Point to Last Gate on GS Road leading to the side entrance of the Assam secretariat and has invited agencies and firms to execute beautification work.

The stretch of land with heaps of garbage is owned by Oil India Limited (OIL) and has a crude carrying pipeline underneath the ground. A spokesman of GMC said, "Oil India Limited has given the no objection certificate for developing the oil pipeline area for 5 years. A proposal for beautification of the area as a park has been conceptualized by the GMC. We are planning to beautify other such neglected stretches along the roadside which present an ugly look of the city," said the official.

He added that the area despite being close to the secretariat has remained neglected for several years and no major construction activities can be carried out on the stretch due to the existence of the oil pipeline.

The All Guwahati Traders' Association (AGTA) has welcomed the move. AGTA general secretary Prantosh Roy urged the GMC authorities to expedite similar projects in other government lands along the river in the city.

"We welcome the GMC move. Government lands should be preserved by beautifying the areas so that encroachers can not settle in these areas," said Roy. The AGTA earlier moved the GMC to beautify the riverfronts of Bharalu and Mora Bharalu in Guwahati.

"The government should make it mandatory for the private companies to provide funds for beautification of the city and the GMC should select the points which will be developed for the purpose. Otherwise, the roadsides and the periphery of wetlands and riverfronts will continue to be dumping yards," added Roy.