The Arunachal Pradesh State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, has approved an Empowered High-Level Committee to oversee the contour survey and pre-feasibility report (PFR) for the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).
Environment Pulse Desk: The Arunachal government has decided to form a high-level committee to survey the Siang Upper Multipurpose project.
The Arunachal Pradesh State Cabinet, with Chief Minister Pema Khandu in the chair has approved an Empowered High-Level Committee headed by Chief Secretary Dharmendra for guiding and coordination of the contour survey and pre-feasibility report (PFR) survey to assess the feasibility of various components of the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), also referred to as Upper Siang Multipurpose Project.”
The anticipated generation capacity for this mega hydroelectric and storage project on the Siang River will be about 11,000 MW or more. Two of its three sites recognised are in Siang district and one in Upper Siang district. In 2008 Union government declared SUMP as in aid to water and energy security, flood moderation in Siang-Brahmaputra basin, generating employment and long term socio-economic development; this signifies its national project status.
A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said the Cabinet decided to ensure that the exercise of PFR will be done in a transparent, peaceful and people-centric manner. The government had further acknowledged apprehensions among sections of locals in Siang and Upper Siang districts and pointed out the imperative to counter false information by continuously interacting with communities.
It will be headed by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ojing Tasing. Chief Minister’s advisor and Yingkiong-Tuting MLA Alo Libang, Geku-Mariyang MLA Oni Panyang are its constituients.
“The voices, welfare and aspirations of families and communities likely to be impacted by the proposed project will continue to remain central to the process,” said a Cabinet Minister. It has also reaffirmed its commitment to work towards development with the fullest respect for local customs and community interests.
This decision comes after some villagers along the Siang River belt have opposed to continuation of PFR survey activities. Dealing with concerns and the conduct of the survey, officials have stressed the need for dialogue and community participation.
Similar to the SUMP, these hydropower potential assessments and development efforts for most of Arunachal Pradesh remain at the planning and survey stage.
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