Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced on September 29 that the proposed Siang Upper Multi-Purpose Project will only advance if a Preliminary Feasibility Report confirms it is technically sound. Speaking to officials in Boleng, Khandu stated that completion of this report is the current priority. No work will move forward until findings are available.
The study will run through November, December, and January. Experts must determine if a structure can safely withstand construction in Seismic Zone V. They will also evaluate potential locations and protections against sudden water releases from upstream. "If the experts determine after the PFR that the project cannot be built, there will be no further process," Khandu said.
Khandu linked the project to regional security and water-sharing concerns involving China. He pointed to Beijing's 2021 water infrastructure plans and proposed diversions toward China's northern dry belt as reasons for a scientific assessment. India and Bangladesh previously requested information from China regarding these water issues without success.
The project carries an estimated price tag between Rs 1.5 lakh crore and Rs 2 lakh crore. If deemed feasible, the government will move into Social and Environmental Impact Assessments and a Detailed Project Report. Khandu promised that a favorable feasibility study would not bypass public consent. He plans to spend up to 10 days in the Siang region to hear concerns from Gram Panchayats and local villages directly.
The administration intends to handle land acquisition and rehabilitation through standard legal channels. Relocated residents will receive new roads, schools, water, and electricity. Khandu urged government employees to foster constructive dialogue, noting that officials hold significant influence in local tribal society. He warned that the decisions made today carry consequences for future generations.
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