Kamakhya Corridor work to accelerate as legal hurdles ease: Assam CM​

Guwahati, May 14 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that work on the ambitious Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor project in Guwahati will gather pace in the coming days as most of the legal hurdles surrounding the redevelopment initiative have now been resolved.​

Talking to X, the Chief Minister said he reviewed the progress of the Kamakhya Corridor project and reiterated the state government’s commitment to improving pilgrims’ experience visiting the revered Kamakhya temple atop Nilachal Hill.​

“I also reviewed the progress on the Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor project. With most legal processes now resolved, work will gather pace in the coming days. Our aim is to offer an excellent experience to all the pilgrims who are visiting Maa Kamakhya Mandir,” Sarma posted on X.​

The Rs 498 crore Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor project, launched in February 2024, is one of the largest temple redevelopment initiatives in the Northeast and aims to upgrade infrastructure around the historic Kamakhya temple, one of the most revered Shakti Peethas in the country.​

The project seeks to decongest the temple premises and improve the movement of devotees, especially during major religious gatherings such as the annual Ambubachi Mela, when lakhs of pilgrims visit the shrine.​

Officials said the redevelopment plan includes construction of a three-level corridor and expanding the existing access pathways from their current width of around 8-10 feet to nearly 27-30 feet.​

The project also aims to increase the open space around the temple complex from nearly 3,000 square feet to more than 1 lakh square feet.​

The corridor project is being implemented under the PM-DevINE scheme.​

The redevelopment initiative had earlier faced legal and environmental challenges after petitions were filed raising concerns over the possible impact on the temple’s heritage structures and subterranean water sources on Nilachal Hill.​

However, in February this year, the Gauhati High Court allowed the project to proceed after studies conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and the Indian Institute of Hydrology addressed environmental and structural concerns raised by petitioners.​

The state government has maintained that the revised project plan will preserve the temple’s heritage while ensuring better facilities and safer access for devotees and tourists.​

–IANS

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