Guwahati’s age-old battle with flash floods and waterlogging may finally be nearing a breakthrough, as the Assam government pushes forward with the strongminded Silsako Reservoir Project, an integrated urban flood mitigation and wetland conservation initiative.
The project, led by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), aims to restore and revitalize the Silsako Beel, a major wetland in the city that has been harshly tarnished by years of encroachment and contamination.
"The Silsako Beel, situated in the heart of Guwahati, is protected under the Guwahati Waterbodies (Preservation and Conservation) Act, 2008.
Though, due to large-scale encroachment, the wetland’s area and flood holding capacity were drastically reduced, leading to frequent urban flooding and a serious threat to biodiversity," said GMDA CEO Anbamuthan M P in an exclusive interview with Business North East.
To reverse the harm, the GMDA has initiated a multi-pronged approach that includes eviction of encroachments, deep excavation of the beel, construction of peripheral drainage, bioremediation of wastewater inflows, and restoration of the wetland’s conservation functions.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR), with an estimated cost of Rs. 248.09 crore, has been submitted to the Ministry of Jal Shakti for funding under the National River Conservation Plan and is currently under thought.
As per the revised DPR guidelines under the Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) scheme, it is proposed to increase the beel’s water retention capacity to at least 3.5 million cubic metres, for which 650 bighas of land will be excavated. A map of the proposed site has been annexed in the final DPR.
Funding and Progress
During the financial year 2022–23, the state government allocated Rs.35.63 crore-Rs.23.49 crore for excavation and Rs.12.14 crore for boundary road and fencing works. These projects are now nearing completion. For 2023–24, an additional Rs.15.22 crore has been approved for further excavation doings.
Encroachment Eviction in Phases
In a decisive effort to reclaim the original wetland area, the state government has launched a series of eviction drives. Of the roughly 2,000 identified encroachment cases, nearly 80 percent are new settlers who occupied the land post-2008, in violation of the Waterbodies Act.
Key eviction milestones include:
May 2022: 20 acres recovered
March 2023: 110 acres recovered
September 1–3, 2023: 36 acres recovered after consultation with 24 local Unnayan Samities
In total, 166 acres have been recovered by GMDA and the district administration. Institutions such as the Institute of Hotel Management, Cooperative Management Institute, and Ginger Hotel—among others—have also been included in the land acquisition process for wetland reclamation.
Engineering a Flood-Safe Guwahati
Once operational, the reservoir will serve as a critical buffer during monsoons. It will hold rain and floodwater, discharging it into the Brahmaputra River in a controlled manner—either releasing water during low river flow or holding it back during high tide to prevent backflow.
Key technical features of the project include:
Excavation and deepening of the beel to increase retention
Construction of a peripheral drain to divert polluted water
Bioremediation units to treat wastewater inflows
Real-time flood monitoring integration with GMDA’s Smart City platform
The project aligns with the broader climate resilience strategy of the Assam government, which views the reservoir as a long-term solution to Guwahati’s chronic flooding.
Vision for a Resilient Urban Ecosystem
“This project is not just about eviction. It’s about restoring Guwahati’s ecological safety net and building future resilience,” stated Assam Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah.
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The government has also assured that verified settlers will receive fair compensation and rehabilitation, with alternate land already allotted to several affected institutions, including OKDISCD and multiple cooperative societies.
Once finished, the Silsako Reservoir Project is expected to offer a enduring flood extenuation solution, protect disposed neighbourhoods, and give the city crucial time to modernize its outdated drainage infrastructure.
In many ways, the project stands as one of Assam’s most significant climate-resilient infrastructure initiatives, a bold and necessary correction to decades of neglect and mismanagement.
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