New Judicial Hub Across the Brahmaputra Sparks Debate Over Access and Infrastructure

The proposed development of a new integrated judicial hub on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra in North Guwahati has triggered an intense debate among legal professionals, policymakers and civil society, even as the Assam government moves ahead with plans to expand judicial infrastructure in the State.
The project, envisaged as an Integrated Judicial Court Complex at Rang Mahal in North Guwahati, aims to ease pressure on existing courts in central Guwahati by providing modern facilities, additional courtrooms, chambers, residential quarters and allied infrastructure. The State government has already approved substantial funding for the first phase of the project and identified a large tract of land for the proposed judicial township.
According to officials, the new complex is intended to address long-standing issues of congestion, lack of space and inadequate infrastructure at existing court premises. The government has argued that the North Guwahati site offers scope for future expansion, better planning and the creation of a modern, technology-enabled judicial ecosystem.
However, the proposal has drawn strong opposition from sections of the legal fraternity, particularly the Gauhati High Court Bar Association (GHCBA). Lawyers have expressed concerns that shifting key judicial functions across the Brahmaputra could create serious accessibility challenges for litigants, advocates and court staff, especially those from lower-income backgrounds and distant districts.
Opponents argue that daily river crossings or longer travel times could increase both financial and logistical burdens on court users, potentially affecting timely access to justice. They have also pointed out that adequate and reliable transport infrastructure, including bridges, ferry services and public transport, must be ensured before any large-scale relocation of judicial institutions.
The Bar Association has reiterated its demand for wider consultation and has questioned whether alternatives, such as expanding or modernising existing court facilities in central Guwahati, were adequately explored. Some members have announced protest measures, including abstention from official functions related to the project, to register their dissent.
Supporters of the new judicial hub, however, maintain that Guwahati’s existing court areas are severely constrained by space and traffic congestion, making large-scale expansion impractical. They contend that a well-planned judicial township across the river could ultimately improve efficiency and working conditions for the judiciary, provided connectivity issues are addressed in parallel.
As the project moves forward, the proposed judicial hub has become a focal point of discussion on how to balance infrastructure development with accessibility and public convenience. The debate underscores broader questions about urban planning, transport integration and the principle of ensuring that justice remains easily accessible to all sections of society.