Guwahati: A long-delayed project promising power, irrigation and flood relief moved closer to implementation on Thursday.The Brahmaputra board, under the Union Jal Shakti ministry, handed over the detailed project report (DPR) and records of the proposed Kulsi multipurpose project to Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGCL).Planned across the Kulsi river along the Assam-Meghalaya border, the project envisages irrigating a gross command area of around 26,000 hectares and generating 55 MW of hydropower. It is also expected to provide incidental flood-moderation benefits.The DPR estimates the project cost at Rs 1,454.95 crore at June 2017 price levels.Brahmaputra board general manager Abhay Kumar and APGCL chief general manager (Hydro & Civil) Saurav Saikia signed the transfer documents in the presence of board chairperson Ranbir Singh.The board prepared the DPR after surveys and investigations. Assam govt subsequently expressed its willingness to implement the project through APGCL and sought the transfer of all related records.Following a chief minister-level meeting between Assam and Meghalaya on June 2, 2025, Meghalaya conveyed that it had no objection to Assam updating the DPR.The revised report will be prepared in consultation with Meghalaya’s power department. It will consider consultations with project-affected people, funding arrangements, power-sharing between the states and financial compensation for affected people.The ministry described the transfer as a milestone reflecting cooperation among the Centre, Assam and Meghalaya. Once implemented, the project is expected to strengthen irrigation and hydropower generation, aid flood management and promote tourism, contributing to both states’ socio-economic development.
