Exciting Collaboration: Arunachal Government & Villagers Launch Siang Project Feasibility Study

The Arunachal Pradesh government and the villagers of Pangkang (Kumku) in the Siang district signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on May 23, aiming to initiate a preliminary feasibility report (PFR) for the ambitious Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) located in Boleng. This proposed project, contingent upon feasibility, is expected to bring significant socio-economic improvements to the local community while also acting as a strategic counteraction to China’s extensive hydropower developments on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which is the upstream part of the Siang River in Tibet.

Designed to generate clean energy, this project is set to produce 11,000 MW of power. It also aims to improve environmental resilience and protect downstream river flows, thus positioning itself as an essential element of India’s water security strategy and national interests in the Northeast region. The MoU includes a special development package of Rs 5 crore that will be rolled out over three years.

According to the official statement, a new Village Development Committee (VDC), comprising families likely to be affected by the project, will take charge of improving infrastructure, healthcare services, and livelihood programs. This initiative is intended to foster inclusive and equitable growth within the community. Notably, the agreement emphasizes ongoing consultation with local stakeholders, showcasing the government’s dedication to participatory development.

Siang’s Deputy Commissioner P N Thungon represented the government by signing the MoU alongside village leaders Taba Tamut and Bakin Tali, highlighting the broad support from the local community. The signing event was also attended by state ministers, including Panchayati Raj, Transport, and Cooperation Minister Ojing Tasing, as well as other officials such as hydro power joint secretary Hage Lailang and Hydropower Chief Engineer Atek Miyu.

“This is not just about power or water; it is about harnessing the potential of the Siang River for the collective prosperity of the local area, the state, and the nation,” Thungon stated. However, the project faces substantial opposition from various tribal organizations, particularly the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF), which fears that it will negatively impact over 40 villages in the region.

The SUMP, anticipated to be India’s largest hydropower initiative with an estimated cost of Rs 1.13 lakh crore, is viewed by the government as a critical response to China’s 60,000 MW dam project on the Yarlung Tsangpo, which poses a risk to the water flow into the Siang River.

Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/arunachal-pradesh/story/arunachal-govt-villagers-ink-deal-for-siang-multipurpose-project-feasibility-study-1218239-2025-05-23?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-05-23 19:07:00