Railway line through Deepor Beel poses serious ecological threat

Guwahati, June 17, 2019:

The only Ramsar Site in Assam “Deepor Beel’ is undergoing a serious threat as the Railway has laid the second railway track through the 'Beel' despite mass protests and opposition by the locals alongside the Beel.

The newly constructed track will connect Bongaigaon to Kamakhya via Goalpara.

According to reports, the officials of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), no directions have been given by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to stop the construction. The officials also mentioned that the railway is taking extensive measures to construct the track without creating any threat to the Beel.

Also Read: Veteran Journalist Pranay Bordoloi Hopes InsideNE's Efforts to Save Deepor Beel Will Reach Ears of Assam Govt

However, state Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya has said that they have been in touch with the Central Government. He has also added that to construct the railway track underground, a huge amount of finance is required. He mentioned that the Forest Department does not have control over that, only the railways can take steps regarding that.

It was also directed that from 6 pm in the evening to 6 am in the morning, no heavy loaded vehicles are to pass through the area, whereas, a train passes by after 40 minutes. This, in turn, has led to the death of 14 elephants to date.

Meanwhile, the locals have alleged that during the reign of Congress, the first railway track was constructed with false information and during the Bharatiya Janata Party’s rule; the second track is under construction.

They have also alleged that the government is maintaining a dual standard regarding the preservation of the beel. On one side they are saying that it will preserve the beel and on the other hand, they are sanctioning the construction of railway tracks and other infrastructure that is increasing the threat to the Deepor Beel.

So, the question is who is to be blamed and who will be responsible enough to save the 'Beel'?