Guwahati HC clears 498 crore ancillary works for Kamakhya Temple Corridor

The Gauhati High Court has allowed the Assam Government to go ahead with certain preparatory and ancillary works under the Rs 498-crore Kamakhya Corridor project, while making it clear that the main temple structure must not be disturbed in any way. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Advocate General Devajit Lon Saikia said the court permitted the development of a holding ground at Bangshibagan and the improvement of an alternate route for pilgrims. However, it specified that these works must not interfere with the main shrine or core construction of the corridor project.

The Kamakhya Corridor project, officially known as the Maa Kamakhya Divyalok Pariyojana, aims to upgrade infrastructure around the Kamakhya Temple.

The plan includes expanding the area around the temple from around 3,000 sq ft to nearly 100,000 sq ft and widening the existing access path from 8–10 feet to about 27–30 feet to better manage the heavy rush of devotees.

The High Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that raised concerns about possible damage to the ancient shrine and its surroundings. The petition urged the Government to strictly follow provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. The government assured the court that no main construction work would begin without the necessary technical clearances, including hydrological and geological studies.

It said the entire project is being monitored by the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, which has already completed detailed surveys and submitted its report to the court.

The government clarified that construction will be restricted to the designated Down Hill area and will not extend into the Upper Hill zone where the main temple stands. No work will be carried out inside the sanctum or within the temple premises.