In a significant development aimed at regional cooperation, the governments of Assam and Meghalaya have agreed to jointly develop a 55-megawatt hydropower-cum-irrigation project on the Kulsi river and cooperate on deciding the issue of urban flooding in Guwahati.
The decisions were taken during a bilateral meeting held in Guwahati on Monday between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K. Sangma.
Speaking to the media, Chief Minister Sarma said, “The two governments will take up the 55 MW Kulsi hydropower-cum-irrigation project after consultations with local communities. While both states will benefit from power generation, Assam will also gain from the irrigation component.”
The Kulsi river, a tributary of the Brahmaputra originating from the West Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, is also a noteworthy ecological site known for being a nesting ground of the endangered Gangetic river dolphin.
Tackling Guwahati Flooding
Urban flooding in Guwahati, an annual challenge, was another key agenda during the meeting. “The two other important topics of discussion were resolving the long-pending boundary dispute and urban flooding in Guwahati. The Meghalaya government acknowledged that a significant volume of rainwater from its hills inundates Guwahati and surrounding areas,” Sarma said.
To address the issue, the two States have decided to involve the North East Space Application Centre (NESAC) to carry out satellite mapping of the affected regions within three months. “After this assessment, we will consult the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, to develop a long-term flood mitigation plan that protects both livelihood and economic activity,” said Chief Minister Sangma.
Notably, Sarma has previously pointed to large-scale hill cutting in Meghalaya, particularly for the construction of a medical college linked to Assam-based Mahbubul Haque as a factor exacerbating Guwahati’s flood woes.
Progress on Boundary Dispute
The two States also reviewed the progress in resolving their 52-year-old boundary dispute. In March 2022, Assam and Meghalaya had reached an agreement on six of the 12 disputed sectors in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“We will continue talks on the remaining disputed sites and aim for a resolution soon,” said Sarma. “Of the six resolved sectors, we plan to erect boundary pillars in five by August 15. However, issues of land adjustment remain at Tarabari and Gizang.”
Meghalaya has requested land adjustments in these areas, and Assam has agreed to consider the request. “This will involve giving some villages to Meghalaya in exchange for an equivalent area being ceded to Assam. We will respond to this proposal within a week,” the Assam Chief Minister added.
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