Majority of people of the region are opposed to the proposed Kulsi Dam Project proposed on the border between Kamrup in Assam and Meghalaya in West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi district. The dam was proposed to be built over Khri river.
This was stated by the MDC of Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency Bajop Pyngrope in his motion during the winter session of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) today.
He also questioned the attempt by the government to build a dam over Umngot river for generating electricity.
Calling for stoppage of the dam projects, Pyngrope also urged the KHADC Executive Committee to intervene and protect the land of the people as empowered under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and not to allow such a project that will not only harm the environment but also affect farmers and inhabitants in the area.
“The State government should always take into account people’s consent and conduct a public hearing to hear the mind of landowners and farmers before initiating such a big project,” he said.
In his reply, KHADC Chief Executive Member Titos Chyne said that construction of any dam whether at Umngot or Khri will not only affect the environment and the aquatic lives and inhabitants in the region besides affecting their livelihood.
Expressing shock that the government had signed an agreement with a company for damming of Umngot river without the consent of the KHADC, Chyne said that it was only after vehement opposition by pressure groups and farmers and after the KHADC wrote to the Managing Director of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited that the State government decided to scrap the Umngot hydel project.
With regard to the Kulsi hydel project, Chyne informed that he has met the Water Resources Minister on the matter who has assured that the State government will not give consent for the project.
