Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday said that the Siang Multipurpose Hydropower Project would move forward only after the completion of its Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) and a subsequent public hearing, asserting that the consent of local communities would be paramount.
Addressing the media here, Khandu emphasized that the PFR is a crucial, non-intrusive step to assess geological viability and will not involve any physical displacement or damage to land or settlements.
“Once the PFR is complete, we will have a public hearing and only proceed based on the will of the people,” he said, adding that the report will determine which areas may be submerged, the number of villages potentially affected, and the mitigation measures required.
Reiterating the strategic importance of the project, Khandu said the proposed Siang project is not merely a power initiative but also a national security imperative, especially in light of China’s upstream hydropower developments.
“China has already proposed to build a 60,000 MW dam, possibly the world’s largest, near our border. This has raised serious concerns for the Government of India,” Khandu said.
He warned that Beijing’s control over the river’s flow could have dire consequences.
“If China releases excess water, it could lead to catastrophic floods in the Siang valley and parts of Assam. On the other hand, if it withholds water, the Siang may run dry during winters and reduce to a stream one can walk across,” he said.
Khandu pointed out that China is not a signatory to the UN Water Convention and, therefore, under no obligation to share river data or cooperate on transboundary water management. “At least we must build something on our side for the safety and security of our Siang,” he said.
Drawing parallels with the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan, the Chief Minister noted that abrogation of such pacts during wartime scenarios could leave nations vulnerable. “We must prepare for every eventuality,” he said.
He further stated that both the Centre and the state government are aligned on the issue. “Let the PFR be completed. Post that, all aspects—technical safety, environmental concerns, compensation, and rehabilitation—will be discussed in detail,” Khandu said.
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