Arunachal CM Highlights Siang Upper Multipurpose Project to Counter China’s Brahmaputra Dam

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) is of national importance, especially in the backdrop of China recently approving the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet.

Khandu, speaking in an interview, said the SUMP, pegged at Rs 1.13 lakh crore, is not merely a power generation project but is also aimed at controlling Siang River flow and tackling the threat of flooding because of possible water discharge from Chinese dams.

The project, with an estimated capacity of 11,000 MW, would provide critical buffering against low water in the river during dry seasons as well as prevent catastrophic flooding at Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Bangladesh. This is concerning because China's dam, which has plans to divert Brahmaputra water, may drastically decrease the flow of the Siang River, especially when winter months come.

Though the project is currently in the pre-feasibility stage, the state government still acknowledged the local opposition concerned with environmental issues and possible displacement. Khandu asserted that the project would undertake all necessary surveys and public hearings before adopting any final plans and indicated that community dialogue is central to the process.

In addition, Khandu mentioned the state's larger hydropower development plans, which include massive investments and projects such as the 186 MW Tato-I and 240 MW Heo projects, which are expected to generate significant revenue and meet the energy requirements of the region. The Centre has also sanctioned a Rs 4,136 crore initiative to increase hydroelectric capacity in the Northeast by 2032.

ALSO READ: Russia’s Sergei Lavrov warns of ‘decisive response’ to US missile threats

ALSO WATCH: