Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Former Assam Congress leader Debabrata Saikia has formally petitioned President Droupadi Murmu regarding the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh. Saikia wants the President to secure detailed impact reports from state governments to protect Assam’s downstream safety and ecological security before the project progresses. The Siang flows into Assam to feed the Brahmaputra river system. Decisions made today will change the river forever.
The project is currently at the preliminary feasibility stage. NHPC is handling the report and has explored dam sites at Uggeng, Dite Dime, and Parong. In July 2026, NHPC tendered 380 metres of exploratory drilling at the Parong and Uggeng sites. Saikia demands a deep assessment of how the dam would change flood peaks, river discharge, erosion, agriculture, and local fisheries.
He wants public access to district-wise inundation maps and detailed modeling for extreme events like earthquakes and landslides. Independent geological scrutiny is mandatory. Saikia also wants a basin-level study covering existing and planned projects in the region. He questions whether the Assam government has provided any formal consent or received notice regarding the construction plans.
Saikia insists that downstream farmers and riverine communities must have a seat at the table. He proposes a real-time data-sharing system for rainfall and reservoir levels to serve as an early-warning network. Saikia clarified that he does not oppose renewable energy, but he insists on transparency. "The Brahmaputra is Assam's lifeline," he wrote in his September 30 representation. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu maintains that his government is not rushing the project beyond feasibility studies.
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