Why is the Siang project contentious?, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh is facing protests from the Adi community.
• The project, to be constructed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), aims for an estimated power capacity of 11,000 to 11,200 MW.
• Protesters cite concerns over the submergence of at least 40 villages, destruction of agricultural land, and cultural sites.
• The SUMP is currently in the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) stage, an early assessment of its viability.
• The government justifies the project for flood control, job creation, and to counter China's upstream Medog dam.
• Protests have escalated, leading to alleged lathi-charges, arrests, and violence against NHPC premises.

Siang Upper Project.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The Siang River is the local name for the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh, a vital transboundary river.
• The SUMP was declared a national project in 2008, with a proposed dam height of 280-300 meters and 9.2 billion cubic meters of live storage.
• Project approval requires multiple clearances, including forest and environmental assessments from expert committees.
• Villagers allege that signatures for the PFR were obtained through deceit, not as consent for the dam's construction.
• The government emphasizes flood risk reduction in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and strengthening water and energy security, with power generation as a secondary benefit.
• China's planned 60,000 MW Medog dam upstream is a significant geopolitical factor influencing India's push for the SUMP.
• Arunachal Pradesh has historically been viewed as India's hydropower frontier, with many past agreements for projects not materializing.
• International examples like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the Indus Waters Treaty highlight the contentious nature of transboundary water resources.
• The Indus Waters Treaty was placed in "abeyance" by India in 2025, but a Court of Arbitration ruled it remains in force.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR): An initial study to assess the technical, economic, and environmental viability of a proposed project.
• Live Storage: The usable volume of water in a reservoir that can be drawn down and released for various purposes.
• National Project: A project designated by the central government for its strategic importance, often receiving priority in funding and clearances.
• Water Treaty: A formal agreement between two or more countries concerning the allocation, management, or use of shared water resources.