The proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh, India, has emerged as a contentious initiative shaped by strategic, environmental, and social concerns. Indian officials, including Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, have voiced strong support for the project. One of the primary motivations is China’s plan to build a 60,000 MW hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River (the upper stretch of the Brahmaputra) in Tibet, which Indian authorities see as a threat to water and national security. In response, the 11,000 MW Siang Dam, with its 9 billion cubic meter reservoir, is viewed as a necessary countermeasure to manage water flow and reduce vulnerability.
The project, estimated to cost between ₹1.13 lakh crore and ₹1.5 lakh crore, is also expected to boost economic activity in Arunachal Pradesh through the development of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and telecommunications networks. Proponents argue that it could create employment opportunities for local populations and help address persistent joblessness. Additionally, the consistent power output from the Siang Dam is seen as a means to complement variable renewable sources like solar and wind, thereby supporting a stable energy supply for the Northeast and contributing to the national grid. If completed, it would become India’s largest hydroelectric project and contribute significantly to the country’s renewable energy targets and carbon neutrality goals, aligning with the broader vision of a developed India and a developed Arunachal Pradesh.
However, the project has raised serious concerns. The fragile Himalayan ecosystem faces increased risks from large-scale construction, including glacial lake outburst floods and cloudbursts. The SUMP lies in a high seismic risk zone, heightening the dangers of dam failure, landslides, and reservoir-induced earthquakes. The project also threatens to displace large numbers of indigenous people, particularly from the Adi tribe, who depend on the Siang River for agriculture and fishing. This displacement could undermine both livelihoods and cultural heritage. Past experiences, such as the displacement of the Chakmas and Hajongs by the Kaptai Dam in Bangladesh, which led to a refugee influx into Arunachal Pradesh, continue to serve as a warning to those fearing similar outcomes.
Environmental impacts are also significant. The construction would result in extensive deforestation, the submergence of villages, and damage to biodiversity and wildlife habitats. It may severely affect aquatic life and disrupt downstream agriculture, exacerbating disaster risks in a region already vulnerable to climate change. The deployment of Central Armed Police Forces for pre-feasibility surveys has been perceived as coercive by local communities. Criticisms have also been raised about the lack of transparent public consultation and the absence of a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, which have deepened mistrust and heightened concerns about democratic processes.
The Siang Dam project attempts to meet pressing needs related to national security, energy generation, flood control, and regional development. Yet, its success will ultimately depend on how effectively it responds to environmental risks, addresses local concerns, and incorporates inclusive, transparent decision-making processes.
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*From Arunachal, Itanagar
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