Itanagar: In a significant boost to Arunachal Pradesh’s hydropower ambitions, 98 households from Riew village in Siang district have officially supported the preparation of a pre-feasibility report (PFR) for the 11,000 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Friday in Itanagar between the state government and representatives of Riew village. The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Cabinet Minister Ojing Tasing, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta, Siang Deputy Commissioner PN Thungon, and local leaders.Riew is the second-largest village in the Siang region, and the consenting households account for around 62% of the local population.
This move reflects a notable change in public perception, as the region had previously shown strong resistance to the mega-dam project.Earlier this month, over 300 households from Riga, the largest and once-most vocal village against the dam, also gave their nod for the PFR.Deputy CM Chowna Mein, who holds the power portfolio, welcomed the development, calling it an “important milestone” in Arunachal’s green energy mission.
“In a democratic country, development must include the people,” Mein said. “We have built this journey through dialogue, trust, and mutual respect.”He added that the SUMP forms part of the broader #ViksitBharat vision for sustainable infrastructure and energy development.
This move comes amid increasing regional concern after China began construction of a large dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River (known as the Brahmaputra downstream), raising alarms in both India and Bangladesh about water flow, ecological balance, and long-term river management.
The Arunachal government sees the SUMP not only as a source of clean energy but also as a strategic and economic response to regional developments.