Assam Advocate General Devajit Lon Saikia has defended the proposed Kamakhya Corridor project, stating that the initiative will not affect the sanctity, structure, or religious practices associated with the historic Kamakhya Temple. Addressing a press conference, Saikia said the project has been carefully planned with scientific studies and court oversight to ensure that the temple and its traditions remain completely untouched.The Advocate General explained that the state government had decided to plan the corridor project after noticing the growing difficulties faced by pilgrims visiting the temple every year. Devotees often encounter heavy congestion along the approach road, with roadside shops and unregulated commercial establishments creating inconvenience for visitors. To improve crowd movement and provide better facilities, the government issued work orders for the corridor project in 2024. However, the project later became the subject of legal challenges. Two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) were filed in the Gauhati High Court by Gitika Bhattacharjee and Navajyoti Sarma, who expressed concerns that the construction could disturb traditional rituals and affect the sanctity of the temple complex. The petitions sought intervention from the court to stop or modify the project until its possible impact on the temple was properly examined.
Saikia said the government took these concerns seriously and ensured that detailed scientific studies were carried out before moving ahead. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati conducted extensive technical surveys and submitted its findings to the court. According to the survey report, the proposed corridor construction would not cause any structural damage to the temple nor interfere with religious rituals or traditional practices. After reviewing the technical findings, the Gauhati High Court permitted the government to continue the construction within clearly defined limits. The Advocate General further stated that the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee, was also involved in studying the underground hydrological conditions of the area. The institute examined aspects such as excavation depth, groundwater movement and the natural water channels flowing beneath the temple hill. Based on these assessments, the project design was revised where necessary to ensure that underground water systems remain undisturbed and safe.Saikia clarified that the corridor construction will be limited only to the downhill areas and the approach route used by devotees. No construction activity will be carried out inside the temple premises, and the sanctum of the temple will remain completely untouched. He said the High Court has clearly demarcated the areas where work can be undertaken, and the project authorities are strictly following those guidelines.
Responding to certain claims circulating in public discussions, the Advocate General dismissed reports suggesting that the Chhinnamasta Temple or any other temple structure would be demolished as “baseless and illogical.” He stressed that there is no plan to dismantle or damage any religious structure as part of the corridor development. “No one would dare to touch the temple structures. The project is only meant to improve the access road and public movement areas for the convenience of devotees,” he said. Saikia also noted that the underground water channels located beneath the temple area have been thoroughly examined by experts and are situated away from the construction zone. Therefore, the corridor work will not interfere with the natural flow of water or the traditional water systems associated with the temple. According to officials, some construction activities had started earlier but were temporarily halted after the PILs were filed. With the Gauhati High Court now allowing the project to proceed based on scientific reports and expert assessments, the work is expected to resume in accordance with the court’s directions.