Arunachal CM Khandu Pledges Public Consent for Proposed Siang Dam Amid Protests

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has stated that the proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) will not proceed without public consent. Currently, the state government is only focused on completing a Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR).

Current Status and Outreach

Chief Minister Khandu clarified that the government is not yet at the construction phase. He has invited representatives from the Adi Bane Kebang (ABK) youth wing and the Adi Students' Union (AdiSU) for direct discussions to address concerns and provide clarity on the project’s objectives. Key points include:

• Focus on PFR: The government is only seeking cooperation for the pre-feasibility study.
• Decision-Making: A final decision on whether to build the dam will only occur after the feasibility of the site is established.
• Legal Process: Any future development will involve mandatory consultations with local residents as per legal requirements.

Background of Tensions

The project, envisioned by the Centre and NHPC, aims to manage water resources and generate hydropower while serving strategic goals in the region. However, members of the local Adi tribe have voiced strong opposition, citing fears of village submergence, displacement, loss of ancestral land, and environmental risks in a seismically active area.

Protests flared in late September and October, leading to incidents of arson in Pasighat. By late October, the situation included police cases and the detention of protesters, leading to a solidarity rally in Itanagar on October 29. The Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum has proposed a peace committee to bridge the communication gap between the government and local groups. Chief Minister Khandu has stated that he intends to keep visiting the Siang region to engage directly with local populations and combat alleged misinformation regarding the scope of the project.