Guwahati: Civil society organisations have launched fresh protests against the proposed 55 MW Kulsi Hydropower Project in Assam’s Chhaygaon, saying they will intensify their movement if the government continues with the plan.
The warning was issued during a press conference on August 1, organised by the Kulsi Nadibandh Birodhi Sangrami Mancha (Anti-Kulsi Dam Struggle Forum) along with several other organisations.
They said the project could displace residents, reduce agricultural land and cause long-term environmental damage.
The proposed hydropower facility is planned at Ukiam on the Assam-Meghalaya border. People living along the Kulsi River have expressed fears that the dam could affect both local livelihoods and the river’s ecological balance.
A major trigger for the renewed opposition was last week’s transfer of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and related project documents by the Brahmaputra Board to the Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGCL), signalling further progress towards implementation.
The handover documents were signed by Brahmaputra Board General Manager Abhay Kumar and APGCL Chief General Manager Saurav Saikia.
Estimated at Rs 1,454.95 crore, the project includes a dam of around 60 feet in height. Protesting groups claimed its impact could extend across nearly 26,000 hectares, covering areas from Ukiam through Chhaygaon to Chamaria.
They further alleged that the Brahmaputra Board, operating under the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, has asked the concerned agencies to begin preliminary preparations for the project at the earliest.
Questions were also raised over the stand of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council and local MLAs, with the organisations claiming that none of them had clearly responded despite growing concern among residents.
The forum further alleged that continuing with the project despite objections from organisations in both Assam and Meghalaya had increased public dissatisfaction.
The anti-dam forum said it would expand its campaign by bringing together local residents and civil society groups if the authorities refused to withdraw the proposal.
The proposed Kulsi Hydropower Project continues to face opposition, with the government’s response expected to determine the next phase of the agitation.