‘Public is Supreme, SUMP Will Happen Only If People Say Yes’: Arunachal CM Pema Khandu on Siang Dam

CM Khandu has proposed a meeting of Deputy CM Chowna Mein with all stakeholders

Amid stiff opposition to the 11,500 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today assured that the project will take off only if the people say yes and agree to the project. Underlining that in a democracy public is supreme, the CM said that the project will proceed only after public hearings take place.

“In a democracy, the public is supreme. I’ve been giving commitment that there will be public hearing without which the project will not progress. If the people say yes then only the project will be completed for which PFR is essential. I appeal to all stake holders including SIFF that government is always open for any clarification. I propose a meeting of the Deputy CM Chowna Mein with all stakeholders at any given location in Arunachal Pradesh. Please come with your delegations and discuss all aspects,” CM Khandu said in Itanagar.

CM Khandu reiterated that unless the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) is done, a lot of things including how many villages or which are the areas which will be affected by the project will not be clearly known. Therefore, he urged the villagers and SIFF to allow the PFR to take place. He also assured that every aspect including safety parameters would be taken into consideration before arriving at any final decision.
“We both, the Central and the State Governments are clear from day one that let the PFR on the SUMP come out. After that we will discuss with all aspects like technical, safety parameters, environmental concern, compensation, rehabilitation packages and others. The project can’t make any progress without the PFR,” CM Khandu said.

CM Khandu once again underscored the significance of the project since China may tame the Siang River that originates in that country, for its own purpose, which may lead to devastating impact downstream especially in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Khandu said, “Recently we have seen in the India-Pakistan conflict that the Indus Water Treaty was suspended. The problem here is that China is not a signatory to the UN International Water Treaty. So, whatever construction is done on Siang River on the other side of the border is China’s choice. So, we require a safety and security apparatus on the Siang River on our side also. It is now final that China is building the mega dam on Siang River. So, when it is completed, in the lean season, the situation will be such that anybody will be able to cross the Siang River on foot. In the future, the way global scenario is changing, a war scenario might arise. Some 15-20 years down the line if the dam is used as a water bomb by China, the quantum of devastation downstream in Arunachal, Assam and Bangladesh will be unimaginable when lakhs of people will lose their lives, leave alone the destruction of property. Who will take the responsibility then?”
CM Khandu termed the recent attack on Minister Ojing Tasing during a meeting on SUMP at Siang DC Office at Boleng as unfortunate and said “The meeting with the SIFF inside the DC office was going on the right track, but after coming outside, the mob was instigated and an untoward incident took place. The Adi community is very mature and highly intellectual and we did not expect such a behaviour which was unfortunate.”

Referring to the deployment of security forces in the villages where the SUMP is proposed, the CM said that the security forces were not deployed to supress the voice of the public or to scare them but just for the safety of the machinery and the people who would be there for the Pre-Feasibility survey.

Fresh anti-dam protest had erupted after security forces were deployed to provide protection for the pre-feasibility studies and core drilling works. The NHPC (National Hydropower Corporation) had requested round-the-clock security at the proposed sites.

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