Kulsi dam, Barduar township face uncertainty amid protests
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Guwahati: Two major projects planned by the Assam govt — a 55-MW hydel project on the Kulsi river, and the proposed Barduar satellite township, both near Guwahati — face possible cancellation.
The hydel project was planned in collaboration with Meghalaya govt.
On Sunday, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma told mediapersons, on the sidelines of a programme, that the proposed hydel project in the upper reaches of the Kulsi river, along the Assam-Meghalaya border, would not proceed if residents continue to oppose it.
He also addressed concerns surrounding the Barduar township, planned in and around the British-era tea garden in Kamrup district, saying the project would be abandoned if it faces public resistance.
Both initiatives have drawn strong opposition from local tribal communities and several political and apolitical groups, who are concerned about the possible "displacement of indigenous families" — particularly due to the proposed Kulsi power project.
Sarma criticised the ongoing protests, saying, "There are some people who love protesting. We, the two chief ministers (Sarma and Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma), want to build the dam for public benefit, to provide irrigation water.
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If they don't want it, they can just say so. But instead, there are speeches, protests, and the emergence of new leaders — this has damaged Assam."
Regarding the proposed Kulsi dam, earlier, Sarma said local opinions would be taken into account before finalising the project, which could displace around 10 villages if executed.
On the Barduar township project on Guwahati's outskirts, Sarma said the govt would not proceed against public will.
"The same is the case with the proposed Barduar township. We've informed the assembly that if the people there oppose it, the township won't be built. Yet protests continue. What should we do with such agitators? I can't stop them from agitating," he added.
Previously, several organisations led by the All Rabha Students' Union wrote to the Kamrup district commissioner, urging issuance of land pattas (documents) to long-settled indigenous communities in the Barduar area. They fear eviction if the township is developed. They said the project would hamper the movement of Rabhas for achieving its prime goal of enlisting the Rabha-inhabited areas under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for greater autonomy.
They also argued that the proposed project would pose a negative impact on community's socio-economic well-being, language, culture, and traditional livelihoods.
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