ChapterIII(a) - Pollution Control Board, Assam

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EIA Report Proposed INDAdept G Project – Guwahati Refinery Chapter 3The corridor towards west is a rail-road corridor linking not only Guwahati but also otherparts of NER, east of Guwahati to western <strong>Assam</strong> and to the mainland India. The corridorlinks residential and historically important areas such as Nilachal Hill (Kamakhya), Pandu,Maligaon (headquarters of Northeast Frontier Railways) and separates into two - one towardsNorth Guwahati and the other one towards further west to the LGB International Airport viathe University of Gauhati (Jalukbari). There are also many river ports/jetties along thiscorridor.Fig. 3.3. Urban structure of GuwahatiThe third major corridor is towards east (around 15 km from the city-center) linkingNoonmati (Guwahati Oil Refinary) and Narengi. The corridor facilitates residential growthtowards east.Moreover, the bypass of NH 37 encircling the city's southern parts linking the westerncorridor in Jalukbari and the southern corridor in Nomile is currently supporting rapiddevelopment along it. Similarly the VIP Road linking Zoo Road and the eastern corridor andrecently completed Hengerabari-Narengi Road as planned in the older master plan are alsosupporting massive residential development in the east.In brief, the major components of Guwahati's urban structure are:‣ The core with Pan Bazaar, Paltan Bazaar, Fansi Bazaar and Ujan Bazaar26
EIA Report Proposed INDAdept G Project – Guwahati Refinery Chapter 3‣ The extended core with Chandmari, Zoo Road and Ulubari‣ The north-southeast Guwahati-Shillong (GS) Road Corridor‣ The southern sub-center of Ganeshguri‣ The western corridor towards Kamakhya, Jalukbari and LGBI Airport and‣ The eastern corridor towards Noonmati and NarengiDemographyDemographically Guwahati is one of the most rapidly growing cities in India. The city'spopulation grew from just two-hundred thousand in 1971 to more than five-hundred thousandin 1991 and in the census of 2001 the city's population was found to be 808,021. It isestimated that Guwahati is already a million plus city.In 2001, males constituted 55 percent while the females at 45 percent. It was found that 10percent of the population is under 6 years of age. Guwahati has an average literacy rate of 78percent with a male literacy at 81 and female at 74 percent.Income generation and economic activitiesSeparate income estimates for the city are yet not available as city-level income estimationis not a traditional practice in India and is not practiced in a systematic and continual manner.But looking at the agglomeration of activities and employment patterns it can be easilyunderstandable that the city contributes a lions share of the state's income.The major economic activities are trade and commerce, transportation and services.Guwahati is the most important trade hub in NER. It is a major wholesale distribution center,a marketing hub and also a retail hub in the region. The Guwahati Tea Auction Centre is oneof the largest in the world. As in other cities, 'mall culture' is slowly invading Guwahati.Manufacturing is also an important activity although it is not comparable to those of India'srapidly growing industrial cities. The most important manufacturing industry in the city is thepetroleum refinery of IOCL at Noonmati. The city is also the head quarter or the seat forregional offices for several manufacturing and business establishments, e.g. NumaligarhRefinery Limited (NRL). Guwahati is also important for printing and publishing andbusinesses related to electronic and print media. During past two decades, businesses such asreal estate development, finance, etc. are also intensifying.Tourism and recreation, education, research, cultural activities, etc. are also slowlyincreasing and are contributing to city's economy.Quality of lifeAlthough being a medium sized city ranking around at 50th position (in terms ofpopulation) in India, city's quality of life is comparatively higher. A recent survey (2006) by apopular Indian magazine has ranked Guwahati at 17th among all the major and medium sizedIndian cities. The city provides competitive residential and working environments withbeautiful landscapes, pleasant climate, modern shopping areas, modern apartments andbungalows and considerably good social infrastructure. But infrastructure in the city requiresextensive attention, which can increase and revolutionize city's reputation, investmentenvironment and overall growth pattern.Major investments in infrastructure are being planned in the city covering many aspects ofutility and transport infrastructures with financial assistance from Asian Development Bank(ADB). City is also to receive substantial development funds from JNURM (Jawaharlal27
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ChapterIII(a) - Pollution Control Board, Assam

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