12,500 MW Siang Project to Counter China’s Potential Threat: Khandu

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said the 12,500-mw Siang Upper Multipurpose Project is of national interest to counter China’s potential threat.

China is constructing mega dams on the Siang River in the upper ridges in Tibet, which can be used as a weapon at times, or they may divert the course of the river, which will affect people living on the banks of the Siang River, Khandu said while responding to apprehensions raised by people during a visit to Mebo in East Siang district.

There are enough rivers in the state for the construction of hydropower dams, but constructing a multipurpose project on the Siang River will resolve much of the flood-related soil erosion faced by people of Lower Mebo and other parts of the East Siang district, the chief minister said.

The state government, NHPC, and locals have been at a standoff over the project.

The local Adi community is opposing the project, claiming that the dam would displace the indigenous people and cause damage to the environment while the project is being pitched by the government as a significant step towards enhancing the region’s infrastructure and economy. Anti-dam groups have staged protest rallies in Dite Dime in Siang district and Geku in Upper Siang district on August 31 and October 5, respectively.

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