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Pasighat: The Centre’s proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) has intensified tensions in Arunachal Pradesh, with Adivasi organisations questioning its strategic rationale and warning against proceeding without the consent of affected communities. The proposed project has become a contentious issue amid concerns over China’s reported 60,000-MW hydropower project upstream on the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet. The river enters Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang before joining the Brahmaputra system.
Adi Bane Kebang-United, a prominent organisation opposing the project, has alleged that nearly 80 percent of families in affected villages are against the proposed pre-feasibility survey. The organisation claims that around 27 Adi-inhabited settlements could face submergence or displacement.
Its spokesperson, Datik Ratan, questioned whether building a massive dam on the Indian side would effectively counter the potential impact of China’s upstream project.
The organisation also accused the authorities of overlooking local objections and raised concerns about the rights of indigenous communities over ancestral land. It has called for an open debate involving government representatives and experts.
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The proposed preliminary study involves drilling and geological investigations across Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts. While some families have reportedly agreed to the exercise, opposition groups maintain that wider community consent remains unresolved.
The controversy reflects a broader conflict between the government’s infrastructure and energy ambitions and local concerns about displacement, livelihoods and cultural heritage.
The project is being considered amid growing strategic attention to water resources in the eastern Himalayas. Supporters view it as important for India’s long-term energy and water security, while opponents question its effectiveness and potential social costs.
The dispute places the authorities under pressure to address community concerns transparently before advancing the project. Whether the proposed survey can proceed amid continuing resistance remains a key issue for the region.
