Guidelines Issued for Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor Project to Protect Groundwater
Precautions for Construction of Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor
Guwahati, Feb 24: The National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) has emphasized the importance of adhering to depth-related precautions during the construction of the Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor Project to safeguard vital groundwater pathways. This recommendation comes from IIT Guwahati.
In response to two petitions filed in the Gauhati High Court, the government enlisted the expertise of NIH, based in Roorkee, to conduct a thorough geophysical and hydrological assessment regarding the potential effects of the Rs 500-crore Kamakhya corridor initiative. The findings were subsequently reviewed by IIT Guwahati.
The report indicates that the proposed construction layout overlaps with mapped fracture systems, revealing interconnected fractures at depths ranging from 1.9 m to 10.5 m between the Maa Kamakhya Temple and Chinnamasta Temple, and between 3.9 m and 8.1 m within the Siddheshwar Temple area.
To mitigate any disruption to the natural subsurface flow, it is advised that the foundation depth from Maa Kamakhya Temple to Chinnamasta Temple should not exceed 1.9 m, while in front of Siddheshwar Temple, it should be limited to 3.9 m or the nearest fracture depth, whichever is shallower.
In the playground vicinity, the subsurface comprises approximately 3.2-3.5 m of soil-fill made up of coarse-grained sand, pebbles, and clay, resting on compacted or weathered rock.
Fractures have been detected at depths of 6.4-7.6 m, with geophysical data showing a transition from soil-fill to weathered rock and then to hard rock.
IIT Guwahati has advised that foundation depths in this area should be capped at 6.4 m to ensure construction activities do not interfere with the fracture-controlled groundwater pathways.
“These guidelines are essential for maintaining the integrity of the natural hydro-geological system while allowing for responsible development,” the researchers noted.
Following these recommendations, the project consultant has revised the drawings to ensure that foundation depths comply with the specified limits across all four blocks.
The Public Works Department (PWD) informed the Gauhati High Court that after a comprehensive study, it was “consciously decided to broadly locate all proposed pilgrim facilities and utility buildings over existing houses and structures, aiming to utilize ground that has been compacted over many years.”
On February 12, the Gauhati High Court granted permission to the PWD to proceed with the project, confirming that the precautions suggested by research institutions would be followed.
This Rs 500-crore initiative is set to cover an area of approximately 15,000 square meters atop the Nilachal Hills, aiming to provide modern access to one of the country's most revered shrines, which attracts millions of devotees annually.
The project includes five components, featuring a three-level corridor extending approximately 350 meters from the parking area to the temple entrance.