People enjoy boat rides in Dighalipukhuri. File picture

May 17: Dighalipukhuri, the little splash of history which was dug by king Bhagadatta of Pragjyotishpur for his daughter Bhanumati’s swayamvar, will be turned into an iconic tourist spot of international import, if Dispur’s plan works out.

“The Centre has already prioritised the project for funding and we have been asked to prepare a detailed project report by June,” managing director of Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited Anurag Singh told The Telegraph.

The estimated project cost is Rs 25 crore.

“There would be improvement of the water quality of the pond with the latest technology and the surroundings would be beautified,” Singh said, adding that the length and breadth of the pond would not be disturbed.

Bhupen Hazarika’s statue will also be well preserved and beautified with a unique lighting system, Singh said.

Dighalipukhuri is a rectangular artificial 4.5-hectare pond, originally supposed to have been dug straight out from the Brahmaputra. The pond derived its name because of its half-a-mile length, (dighol).

Historian Rai Bahadur Kanaklal Barua (1872-1940) in his seminal masterpiece Early History of Kamrup wrote that the “Dighali-pukhuri was as old as the epic Mahabharat itself. Dighali-pukhuri’s history dates back to the time of the Mahabharat.”

One part of history mentions how king Bhagadatta of Pragjyotishpur — present-day Guwahati — had dug the tank for his daughter Bhanumati’s swayamvar.

Dighalipukhuri now makes for a soothing getaway in the evening hours, thanks to its relaxing ambience and boating facilities.

The Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited has invited expression of interest for consultancy services and preparation of detailed project report for development and beautification of the waterbody.

The selected company would have to prepare a concept design for complete beautification with recreational facilities, lighting, creation of iconic structure and symbols and pathways, gardens, and landscaping.

A detailed plan for improvement of the quality of water will also have to be chalked out, besides an effective traffic management plan for areas leading to the waterbody.

“Once the firm is selected, it will then have to prepare the detailed project report within 35 days. Before that, the firm will have to give us a concept note,” Singh said.

The detailed project report will then go to the government for approval. Once that is cleared, a firm will then be selected for execution of the project. The last date for submission of bids is May 31 and the bids would be opened on June 8.

Singh said the corporation would keep all factors in mind like the waterbody’s proximity to Gauhati High Court, Cotton College and other institutions, and the need for improvement of traffic in the area.

The pond is surrounded by a number of other institutions like Handique Girls College, Assam State Museum, Rabindra Bhawan, India Club and District Library.

The Ambari excavations make for an important archaeological site close to Dighalipukhuri.