The Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF) organised a large-scale protest against the proposed 12,500-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district.
Hundreds of residents gathered in Geku village to voice their opposition to the preliminary assessments conducted for the hydropower initiative.
Demonstrators raised slogans against the National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Chief Minister Pema Khandu, expressing concerns over the project’s potential impact on their land, environment, and way of life.
SIFF general secretary Donggo Libang stated, “The Adi community are opposing the project as it would be a threat to their land, environment and way of life.”
The NHPC has identified three sites in Upper Siang and Siang districts for the dam’s construction: one between Parong and Deging villages, another near Ugeng at Riga village, and a third between Ditte-Dime and Geku.
NHPC officials are currently surveying these locations to prepare a feasibility report for the project.
In September, the Upper Siang district administration issued notices to several government employees and ‘gaon burahs’ (village heads) for participating in the protests.
Additional anti-dam groups also held a rally in Siang district on August 31.
While locals claim the project would displace indigenous communities and damage the environment, the government argues that the hydropower initiative is essential for boosting regional infrastructure and economic development.
Earlier in September, Deputy CM Chowna Mein had maintained that several Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs), including NHPC, NEEPCO, THDC, and SJVN, will undertake these hydropower projects.
Also read: https://newsarenaindia.com/states/protests-won-t-stop-arunachal-s-ambitious-hydro-projects/22382
According to an official statement, five projects will be commissioned next year, while three each are planned for 2026 and 2027.
“These hydropower projects will not only meet the energy demands of the state and the nation but also spur economic development in Arunachal Pradesh,” Mein stated, emphasising that the multipurpose dams will provide several benefits, including water flow regulation, irrigation, and fisheries.
He had added that the projects would also generate substantial income, with an estimated annual revenue of Rs 1,836 crore from equity shares.
“The revenue accrued from these hydropower projects will secure the future of our younger generations,” Mein had said.
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