Editor,
The proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh is a contentious issue driven by strategic, environmental, and social considerations.
Indian officials, including union minister Kiren Rijiju and Chief Minister Pema Khandu, strongly support the SUMP on the following grounds:
First, China’s ongoing construction of a 60,000 mw hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river (the Brahmaputra’s upper reach) in Tibet poses a significant threat to water security and national security in India. The Siang dam, with its 11,000 mw capacity and 9 billion cubic meter reservoir, is seen as a critical countermeasure to regulate water flow and mitigate these risks.
Second, the project, estimated to cost Rs 1.13-1.5 lakh crore, will boost economic growth in Arunachal by constructing roads, bridges, and telecommunications networks. It could also create widespread employment opportunities for the locals and address persistent unemployment.
Third, the dam’s consistent power generation would complement variable renewable sources like solar and wind, ensuring a stable energy supply for India’s Northeast and the national grid. Fourth, the Siang dam, if constructed, would be India’s largest hydroelectric project, generating 11,000 mw of clean energy. This would significantly boost India’s renewable energy capacity, supporting the country’s carbon neutrality and energy transition goals, and is crucial for achieving a developed India and a developed Arunachal.
However, large-scale dam construction also carries serious safety risks. First, the Himalayan ecosystem is fragile, and large-scale construction could exacerbate risks from glacial lake outburst floods and cloudbursts. The SUMP would be located in a seismic risk zone, the highest-risk earthquake category, increasing the likelihood of dam failure, landslides, and reservoir-triggered seismicity.
Second, construction of the SUMP will displace hundreds of thousands of indigenous people, particularly the Adi tribe, who rely on the Siang river for agriculture and fishing. It threatens livelihoods and cultural identity. The Kaptai dam in Bangladesh displaced the Chakmas and Hajongs, sending large numbers of refugees to Arunachal, where they continue to face social distancing, a cautionary tale for locals fearing similar consequences.
Third, the construction of such a large dam will lead to widespread deforestation and the inundation of villages, threatening biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and the aquatic ecology of the Siang river. It will damage ecosystems critical to downstream agriculture and even exacerbate disaster risks in a region already impacted by climate change.
Fourth, the deployment of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to conduct pre-feasibility surveys has been criticized as coercive. Furthermore, the lack of transparent consultation and a comprehensive environmental impact assessment has exacerbated tensions with locals and increased risks to democratic activities.
The Siang dam would address critical needs for national security, energy security, flood management, and economic development. However, addressing local objections, environmental concerns, and ensuring transparent consultation remain crucial for its successful implementation. The project’s success depends on balancing these competing priorities.
Aarna Gupta