OUR CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: In a significant step the villagers of Pangkang (Kumku) in Arunachal Pradesh’s Siang district on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government to initiate the preliminary feasibility report (PFR) for the ambitious Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) at Boleng in the district.
The proposed project, if deemed feasible, promises transformative socio-economic benefits for the local community while serving as a strategic countermeasure to China’s aggressive hydropower infrastructure development on the Yarlung Tsangpo, the upstream section of the Siang River in Tibet. Designed not only to generate clean energy but also to enhance environmental resilience and safeguard downstream river flows, the 11,000 MW project is a critical component of India’s water security and national interest in the Northeast, an official statement said here.
The MoU includes a special development package of ? 5 crore to be implemented over three years.
A newly formed village development committee (VDC), consisting of likely project-affected families, will oversee infrastructure upgrades, healthcare services, and livelihood programs, ensuring inclusive and equitable growth for the community. Importantly, the agreement guarantees continued consultation with local stakeholders, reflecting the government’s commitment to participatory development.
Siang deputy commissioner P N Thungon signed the MoU representing the government, alongside village leaders Taba Tamut and Bakin Tali, who reflected the broad consensus and support of the local community.
“This is not only about power or water. It is about harnessing the potential of the Siang River for the collective prosperity of the local area, state, and nation,” Deputy Commissioner Thungon said.
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