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Guwahati (Assam), June 2: A crucial meeting between Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was held here today to discuss three key issues: the Assam-Meghalaya inter-state border dispute, a proposal to commission a joint power and irrigation project, and ways to resolve urban flooding in Guwahati.
According to sources, the two Chief Ministers agreed to erect boundary pillars in five disputed areas along the inter-state border by August 15 this year. The deputy commissioners of both states will meet soon to address the issue of Pilingkata, where there is a difference in interpretation.
On the joint power and irrigation project, the two states decided to commission the 55-megawatt Kulsi power project, which will irrigate 26,000 hectares of land and provide benefits in terms of power production, irrigation, and tourism development.
Regarding urban flooding in Guwahati, the two states have agreed to entrust the North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC) to conduct a detailed study using satellite imaging of vulnerable areas. NESAC will submit its report within three months, after which the two states will approach IIT-Roorkee for suggestions on joint actionable work.
The meeting was attended by Meghalaya’s Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh, Chief Secretary D.P. Wahlang, and other officials from both states. The talks are seen as a significant step towards resolving long-standing issues between the two neighboring states.
