Arunachal’s 11,200-MW Siang hydropower project raises hopes of jobs but faces local resistance
Arunachal Pradesh’s proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) has sparked a debate over development, employment and infrastructure, with some residents hoping for better roads and public services while protesters raise concerns over land, the environment and community rights.
The project, proposed along the Siang River, has drawn attention to the development needs of communities living in the region, where difficult terrain and limited connectivity have long affected access to essential services and economic opportunities.
While some residents see the project as a possible source of employment and improved infrastructure, others are demanding an immediate halt to survey activities and the withdrawal of security personnel deployed in areas likely to be affected.
“People are naturally worried when they hear about a project of this scale. But we also have to think about what opportunities it could bring. The youth need jobs, better connectivity and more opportunities to stay and build their lives here,” said Oyin, a young resident of Boleng town.
She also highlighted the importance of the Siang River to the lives, culture and landscape of communities living along its banks.
The project is currently at the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) stage, which is intended to assess its technical viability. The state government has maintained that the ongoing assessment does not mean a final decision has been taken to construct the project.
The government has argued that the proposed hydropower project could promote economic and social development, generate employment for local youth and strengthen water and energy security in Arunachal Pradesh and the country.
However, opposition to the project continues, with protesters seeking a halt to PFR-related activities and survey work. They have also demanded the withdrawal of security personnel deployed in the potentially affected areas.
Residents seek development with safeguards
Several residents have called for greater clarity on the project’s possible impact on land, livelihoods, rehabilitation, the environment and the future of local communities.
M Tame, a resident of Parong village in Siang district, said development and the preservation of local identity should go hand in hand.
“We should not assume that development means losing everything. If there is proper planning and local people are included, development can also mean better schools, healthcare, roads, communication and opportunities for our children,” he said.
Siang Deputy Commissioner Tayi Taggu described the project as a potential boon for people in the Siang belt and said they should support government-backed initiatives.
At a review meeting in Yingkiong last month, State Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Ojing Tasing, who also heads the Empowered High-Level Committee on SUMP, stressed the need for sustained public engagement, transparency and systematic documentation of feedback from local communities.
Environmental concerns and trust deficit
Environmental concerns and questions over public consultation remain central to the opposition to the project.
Environmental activist Bhanu Tatak said the consent of local people was crucial even at the pre-feasibility stage. She alleged that the deployment of paramilitary personnel, the registration of FIRs and legal proceedings against people protesting the project had created a trust deficit between residents and the state government.
“It is hard to trust the state government now due to its lack of sensibility,” Tatak said.
The debate over the proposed project reflects the challenge of balancing infrastructure development and energy needs with environmental protection, land rights and the concerns of communities that depend on the Siang River.
As the project remains at the assessment stage, the demands for transparency, public participation and clarity on its potential consequences are likely to remain important in the discussions over its future.