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India Gazette
24-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Arunachal villagers embrace SUMP project, marking a milestone in water security and strategic sovereignty
Boleng (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], May 24 (ANI): In a significant development, the villagers of Pangkang (Kumku) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Arunachal Pradesh government to begin the Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR) for Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) at Boleng in Siang district. On Friday, the Arunachal Pradesh Minister for Panchayati Raj, State Transport, and Cooperation, Ojing Tasing; Joint Secretary for Hydropower, Hage Lailang; Chief Engineer for Hydropower, Atek Miyu; and BJP Arunachal Pradesh General Secretary and Special Emissary of the Government, Nalong Mize, witnessed a significant accord. Representing the community's consent and enthusiasm, Pangkang (Kumku) leaders Taba Tamut and Bakin Tali stood on behalf of the majority of local residents. Siang Deputy Commissioner P N Thungon, representing the state government, signed the MoU with Taba Tamut and Bakin Tali. The proposed SUMP promises transformative benefits for the local community in addition to strategic defense and environmental resilience. According to the MoU, a development package of Rs 5 crore over three years will be rolled out, overseen by a newly constituted Village Development Committee (VDC). This Committee, composed of likely project-affected families, will spearhead village infrastructure improvements, health services, and livelihood programs, ensuring the fruits of the special development initiatives are rooted in the community and leading to equitable growth. The MoU also guarantees future consultations with local stakeholders as the project progresses, reaffirming the government's commitment to inclusive planning and development, keeping in view local priorities. As envisaged by the government, the SUMP is not just another hydroelectric project. Besides providing economic empowerment to the local community and being a significant source of clean and sustainable energy, it will be designed as a strategic counterbalance to China's rapid construction of multiple hydropower dams on the Yarlung Tsangpo (upstream section of the Siang River in Tibet). As India's northern neighbour accelerates its water infrastructure ambitions, the SUMP is envisioned as a timely and critical initiative to mitigate potential downstream risks from sudden upstream discharges and ensure year-round river flow vital for agriculture, drinking water, and ecological balance in Northeast India. 'The villagers of Pangkang (Kumku) have shown incredible wisdom and maturity by deciding to cooperate with the government in the conduct of PRF for SUMP,' Deputy Commissioner Thungon said. 'This is not only about power or water. It is about harnessing the potential of River Siang for collective prosperity of the local area, state and the nation,' he added. (ANI)
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Arunachal villagers sign landmark MoU to kickstart Siang Upper Multipurpose Project
Guwahati: The villagers of Pangkang (Kumku) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to begin the crucial Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR) for Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) at Boleng in Siang District. Hundreds of people took to the streets on Friday against the deployment of central paramilitary forces for surveys for a hydropower project on the Siang River. The government has argued that the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) would counter the potential risks a mega Chinese hydropower project across the border on the same river poses. Arunachal Pradesh Minister for Panchayati Raj, Ojing Tasing, Joint Secretary for Hydro Power, Hage Lailang, Chief Engineer Hydropower, Atek Miyu, and BJP Arunachal General Secretary and Special Emissary of the Government, Nalong Mize witnessed this significant accord, with Pangkang (Kumku) leaders Taba Tamut and Bakin Tali representing the consent and enthusiasm of the majority of the community members. Siang Deputy Commissioner P N Thungon, representing the state Government, signed the MoU with Taba Tamut and Bakin Tali. The proposed SUMP, if feasible and executed, promises transformative benefits for the local community besides strategic defence and environmental resilience. According to the MoU, a development package of Rs 5 crore over three years will be rolled out, overseen by a newly constituted Village Development Committee (VDC). This Committee, composed of likely project-affected families, will spearhead village infrastructure improvements, health services, and livelihood programs - ensuring the fruits of the special development initiatives are rooted in community and leading to equitable growth. Live Events The MoU also guarantees future consultations with local stakeholders as the project progresses, reaffirming the government's commitment to inclusive planning and development keeping in view local priorities. As envisaged by the government, the SUMP is not just another hydroelectric project. Besides providing economic empowerment to the local community and being a major source of clean and sustainable energy, it will be designed as a strategic counterbalance to China's rapid construction of multiple hydropower dams on the Yarlung Tsangpo (the upstream section of the Siang River in Tibet). As India's northern neighbour accelerates its water infrastructure ambitions, the SUMP is envisioned as a timely and critical initiative to mitigate potential downstream risks from sudden upstream discharges, and ensure year-round river flow vital for agriculture, drinking water, and ecological balance in Northeast India. 'The villagers of Pangkang (Kumku) have shown incredible wisdom and maturity by deciding to cooperate with the government in conducting PRF for SUMP,' said Deputy Commissioner Thungon. 'This is not only about power or water. It is about harnessing the potential of River Siang for the collective prosperity of the local area, state and the nation.' There are concerns that at least 100,000 residents could be uprooted. There are also concerns about the environmental impact of the project involving construction activities on the Siang River in Dite Dime, Parong, and Uggeng.
Fibre2Fashion
01-05-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Austria's Andritz's orders surge 20%, revenue declines 6.6% in Q1 2025
Austria's technology group Andritz has achieved strong order growth during the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, with order intake increasing by almost 20 per cent year-over-year (YoY). The growth in orders during Q1 was primarily fuelled by strong performances in the Pulp & Paper segment, up 51.7 per cent and Hydropower which rose by 14.3 per cent YoY. However, the overall revenue of the group declined by 6.6 per cent YoY to €1,761 million (~$1.88 billion) as the Pulp & Paper segment saw a revenue decline of 22.5 per cent and Metals revenue went down by 6.3 per cent, reflecting the challenging market conditions throughout 2024. Andritz has reported an increase of 20 per cent YoY in Q1 2025 order intake, led by strong growth in Pulp & Paper and Hydropower. However, revenue declined 6.6 per cent to €1,761 million (~$1.88 billion) due to weakness in Pulp & Paper and Metals. Net income fell to €89 million (~$95.2 million). Andritz reaffirmed its 2025 guidance and noted no immediate impact from rising global tariffs. In contrast, Hydropower segment reported 23.3 per cent increase in revenue, while Environment & Energy rose by 6.2 per cent, both benefitting from the execution of a strong order backlog. In Pulp & Paper, Q1 2025 saw significant project wins, including major pulp mill orders from the US and Japan, as well as a new contract for a complete pulp mill in China, reflecting continued momentum in the renewables sector, Andritz said in a press release. The net income of the group decreased to €89 million (~$95.2 million) on the back of lower EBITA, a reduced financial result, and slightly higher amortisation resulting from recent acquisitions. The comparable EBITA of €145 million saw a decline of 5.9 per cent in Q1 2025. Despite the drop in absolute earnings, the group's profitability remained stable, with the comparable EBITA margin holding at 8.2 per cent, slightly up from 8.1 per cent in the same period last year. The operating cash flow of the group declined to €73 million in Q1 2025, primarily due to an increase in working capital related to ongoing projects. In February 2025, Andritz acquired LDX Solutions, a North American provider of emission reduction technologies and related services. The acquisition broadens Andritz's environmental technology portfolio and expands its footprint in the US market. LDX Solutions will be integrated into the Environment & Energy business area, added the release. 'Considering the uncertain economic environment, we are overall satisfied with our business performance in the first quarter. The robust order intake underlines the trust our customers place in our technologies. We are happy that we could further increase the share of our service business to stabilize our revenue and profitability. So far, we have not seen any impact on our business from rising global tariffs, but we are observing this issue closely,' said Joachim Schonbeck, chief executive officer (CEO) at Andritz. Andritz reaffirmed its 2025 guidance, projecting revenue between €8.0 billion and €8.3 billion (~$8.56-$8.88 billion). Supported by ongoing initiatives to enhance competitiveness and a favourable revenue mix driven by the expanding service business, the company expects its comparable EBITA margin (excluding non-operating items) to range between 8.6 per cent and 9.0 per cent. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
