Guwahati: Protesting residents of Barduar Bagan, on Guwahati’s western outskirts, have sought written land-rights assurances before any survey is conducted and formal cancellation of a proposed satellite township.The Barduar Bagan Bhumi Pattan Dabi Samiti, which is leading the movement, said residents remain apprehensive despite verbal assurances that pattas would be issued and the project would not be pursued.The proposed township was mentioned in a May 26, 2025 social media post by the CM’s office, after CM Himanta Biswa Sarma reviewed urban infrastructure projects. The post listed a 1,500-acre Barduar Satellite Township at Palasbari, along with projects in Jagiroad and Guwahati.“These developments aim to decongest Guwahati and drive Assam’s planned urban growth,” the post said.Addressing the media on Monday, senior Gauhati High Court advocate Santanu Borthakur and Samiti chief convener Gobinda Chandra Rabha said a meeting on Oct 23 proposed conducting a land survey before issuing pattas.“Residents have demanded a written commitment that pattas would be issued for lands that have been traditionally occupied before the survey begins, thereby legally safeguarding their rights over the land,” Borthakur said.Rabha said residents also wanted the township proposal formally cancelled and sought clarification on the govt’s reported plan to purchase land from the tea garden management before issuing pattas.“Several families affected by floods and river erosion in 1964 and 1974 were allotted land in Barduar Bagan. The govt allotted the land without purchasing it from the garden authorities,” Rabha added.The Samiti sought protection for tribal belts and blocks in the area.
