Staff Reporter
Guwahati: Amidst the hue and cry over the proposed Kulsi River Hydroelectric cum Irrigation project, the state government has clarified that no final decision regarding the project has been taken as yet. In the event of the finalisation of the project, the state government gave an assurance that all stakeholders will be taken into confidence.
During the meeting of the Assam and Meghalaya CMs at the Koinadhara Guest House on June 2, 2025, an in-principle agreement was arrived at to construct a 55 MW hydroelectric cum irrigation project on the Kulsi River at Ukiam.
The Kulsi River originates in Meghalaya and flows from the West Khasi Hills district to the Kamrup district in Assam. The river is renowned for the presence of the Gangetic, or River Dolphins.
Following the in-principle agreement, local communities were up in arms over the proposed project and organised protests. In light of such protests, the Assam government assured that the interests of the affected communities will be protected and any future decision will be taken transparently and only after consultation with all stakeholders.
A statement from the Assam government said, "The government has decided to address the apprehensions among local communities on the potential ecological impact, displacement of people, and possible adverse impacts on agricultural livelihoods. Therefore, it is clarified that no final decision has been taken by the government regarding the implementation of the proposed project. Besides, jurisdictional matters over the project site are presently under deliberation by the governments of Assam and Meghalaya, and the same will be addressed through structured consultation with all stakeholders."
According to a memorandum by the protesting organisations, the proposed project will hinder the natural flow of the Kulsi River, as a result of which the vegetation and crops in a vast area of south Kamrup will be affected. Moreover, as the river is recognised as a natural habitat of the river dolphin, which is the state aquatic animal, there will be total destruction of the habitat of this endangered species.
The various organisations of South Kamrup area urged the Assam and Meghalaya governments to immediately cancel the proposed project. Otherwise, they said that they will continue their protests until the project is cancelled by both the state governments.
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