Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 3 (HBTV): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma held a high-level meeting on Monday evening at the State Guest House in Koinadhara, Guwahati, to deliberate on key intrastate issues concerning the two northeastern states.

The discussions focused on three main issues: the Assam–Meghalaya inter-state border dispute, a proposal to commission a joint power and irrigation project, and measures to resolve urban flooding in Guwahati.

Following the meeting, both Chief Ministers addressed a joint press conference. CM Sarma stated, ‘Earlier, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, we resolved six out of the 12 boundary disputes between both states. We will be able to erect boundary pillars in five disputed areas by August 15. There are some minor issues in the Pillingkata area. Discussions are ongoing for the remaining six disputed areas. For the power project, we will jointly commission the 55 MW project and have decided to move forward together.’

On the issue of urban flooding in Guwahati, CM Sarma said, ‘The Assam Government presented a detailed proposal to the Meghalaya Government. Meghalaya has also shared its views. We have decided that NESAC will conduct satellite mapping, and they will provide complete satellite images within three months. We will then take this data to IIT Roorkee.’

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma confirmed the decision to engage the North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC) for a comprehensive satellite-based study to understand the hydrological and environmental factors contributing to urban flooding.

‘We have decided to approach NESAC to do a detailed study using satellite imaging—of forest areas, water flow patterns, and zones of waterlogging. Once the study is complete, we will approach institutions like IIT Roorkee to analyse the data and recommend actionable steps that would benefit both states,’ said CM Sangma.

He further acknowledged the flood-related concerns in Guwahati and emphasised the importance of joint efforts between Assam and Meghalaya to find long-term solutions. He also noted that these solutions must take into account the needs of people in Meghalaya who are involved in economic and livelihood activities along the inter-state boundary.

On the border issue, CM Sangma confirmed that boundary pillars in five of the six resolved areas will be installed by August 15. He added that minor concerns remain in areas such as Gijang and Tarabari, which are likely to be resolved in Meghalaya’s favour.

‘We are very close to finalising the pillars, and I am happy to inform you that, most likely by August 15—or even earlier—we will be able to finalise the actual pillars in the five resolved areas. This will be a major milestone and a strong testament to the friendship between the two states,’ he added. Talks for the six remaining disputed areas will continue.

The meeting comes at a time when both states are grappling with flood-related challenges following days of heavy rainfall that caused rivers to overflow and inundated low-lying areas. Assam, in particular, has been severely affected, with thousands displaced and large tracts of agricultural land submerged.

(ANI)