GUWAHATI: The Kamrup Metro district administration, on Friday, May 15, imposed an immediate ban on all earth cutting and earth filling activities in hilly areas across the district until October in view of the upcoming monsoon season.
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The decision aims to prevent landslides, artificial flooding, and environmental degradation caused by unregulated construction-related activities.
According to the administration, rampant and unscientific earth cutting in hillocks, along with haphazard earth filling in low-lying areas, has been taking place for various construction projects. Officials observed that such activities have been destabilizing natural slopes, obstructing drainage channels, and clogging both natural and artificial water outlets, thereby increasing the risk of landslides and urban flooding during the rainy season.
Kamrup Metro District Commissioner Swapneel Paul has directed all concerned departments and enforcement agencies to strictly implement the order. These include Revenue Circle Officers, District Police, Forest Department, PWD, Transport Department, Soil Conservation Department, as well as planning and regulatory bodies such as GMC, GMDA, and Panchayat authorities.
The administration has further clarified that no earth cutting activity will be permitted during the monsoon period, even if prior approval for construction work had already been obtained from competent authorities.