Himanta calls for NGT action against Meghalaya’s ‘unscientific hill cutting’

GUWAHATI/NONGPOH, Aug 13: Meghalaya has garnered scathing criticism from neighbouring Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who, on Tuesday, urged the people of Guwahati who are suffering from water-logging problem to approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in order to stop “unscientific hill cutting” in Meghalaya.
His appeal to the people comes a day after he said his government would move the NGT against a private university of Meghalaya, which, he claimed, demolished hills on its campus leading to large-scale water logging in Guwahati.
“Due to unscientific hill cutting in Jorabat area, water logging has increased in Guwahati. Those who criticise me should note that water logging is more severe in Dispur and adjoining areas, which are close to Jorabat, than other parts of the city,” Sarma told reporters on the sidelines of a programme here.
Sarma’s accusation was against University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), founded by Mahbubul Hoque, who is also its chancellor.
The varsity is located in 9th Mile area in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya, near Jorabat on the interstate border, which serves as an entry point to Guwahati.
“People suffering from the problem (of water logging) can approach the NGT and stop hill cutting to an extent in Meghalaya, which will solve the issue to a great deal,” the chief minister said.
Sarma said his government is also taking measures to address the issue and has formed an expert committee which will suggest measures to drain out accumulated water from roads through two routes.
The chief minister said it will take around three years to complete these projects as various issues such as land acquisition will be involved.
Sarma on Monday also asserted that former Congress Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who ruled the state between 2001 and 2016, had also identified the water from Jorabat area to be causing water logging in Guwahati.
Sarma had last week accused USTM of engaging in a “flood jihad” by demolishing hills on its campus to build new structures which, he claimed was “one of the reasons” for large-scale water logging in the largest city in Assam.
Responding to the allegation, USTM said in a statement on Saturday that its campus accounts for a “minuscule portion” of the water that flows to downstream areas such as Jorabat. It also claimed that constructions were carried out within its campus with requisite permission from the Meghalaya government.
USTM among Top 200 varsities in India for third straight year
Notwithstanding the criticisms from Assam Chief Minister, the USTM celebrated its third consecutive year being ranked among the top 200 universities in India, adds our correspondent from Nongpoh. This recognition comes from the 9th edition of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024, announced by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday.
USTM holds the distinction of being the only private university in the Northeastern region to achieve this ranking for three consecutive years.
The NIRF rankings, which assess and rank higher education institutions across India, are based on several criteria, including teaching, learning, and resources, research and professional practice, graduation outcomes, outreach and inclusivity, and perception.
It may be mentioned that in 2021, it earned an “A Grade” accreditation in its first cycle of assessment by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
In celebration of its latest achievement, USTM hosted a special programme at its auditorium, attended by faculty, students, and university officials, including Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque and Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor BK Das. During the event, Chancellor Hoque expressed immense pride in USTM’s ability to maintain its ranking despite facing significant challenges and criticism. He credited this success to the hard work and dedication of the university’s faculty, students, and staff.
Hoque also highlighted USTM’s unique Pay Back Policy, which reimburses students who successfully qualify for competitive exams such as NET, GATE, SLET, and IAS.
An emotional Hoque, who recounted the challenges faced in establishing USTM, reaffirmed the university’s goal to elevate its ranking further, aiming to be among the top 50 universities in India.