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Time of India
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
APCC prez meets Rahul, raises concern over proposed Siang project
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bosiram Siram on Thursday raised concerns over the proposed 11,000-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He warned that the mega dam, with a proposed height of more than 300 metres, will lead to the displacement of nearly 1.5 lakh indigenous tribal people and the submergence of over 27 villages in the Siang region. During a meeting with leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, , in New Delhi, Siram emphasized that the project posed a grave threat to the ecology, cultural heritage and livelihoods in Siang, Upper Siang, East Siang and adjoining districts. He said the dam would result in the permanent loss of ancestral homes, jhum fields (shifting cultivation lands), paddy lands, and community infrastructure and would also impact sacred cultural landmarks such as Kekar Monying. Siram alleged that surveys and feasibility studies for the project were being carried out forcibly, often with the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces. He argued that this violated provisions under Article 371(H) of the Constitution, the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). He further said Arunachal Pradesh was situated in seismic zone-V, the highest-risk earthquake category, and the construction of such a massive structure significantly increases the risk of landslides, erosion, and earthquake-induced disasters. While clarifying that Congress was not opposed to development or dam construction in general, Siram said the objection was specifically to mega dams of abnormal height that threatens the very survival and identity of indigenous communities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He urged Rahul Gandhi to adopt a balanced and people-centric approach to the issue. According to a party statement, Rahul Gandhi assured Siram that the matter will be seriously examined, describing it as an issue of national importance. Siram also used the opportunity to advocate for the modification of Article 371(H) of the Statehood Act of Arunachal Pradesh. He sought to bring it at par with the provisions granted to Nagaland and Mizoram under Article 371(A) and 371(G), respectively. He argued that the current lack of legislative autonomy over land and natural resources has deprived Arunachal's indigenous people of ownership rights over water, forest and land. Furthermore, the APCC chief raised the issue of the New Pension Scheme (NPS) and demanded the reintroduction of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to ensure post-retirement security for state govt employees.
News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
APCC chief meets Rahul Gandhi, raises key state issues
Agency: PTI Itanagar, Jul 31 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bosiram Siram on Thursday met the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, at his New Delhi residence and raised several pressing issues related to constitutional rights, largescale dam projects, and employee welfare in the state. Among the issues highlighted by Siram was the demand for rectification and modification of Article 371(H) of the Arunachal Pradesh Statehood Act to bring it on a par with the provisions under Article 371(A) for Nagaland and Article 371(G) for Mizoram, a party release informed here. Siram pointed out, that unlike the other two northeastern states, Arunachal does not have constitutional protection over ownership of land and natural resources. He emphasised that this legal gap has deprived indigenous tribal communities of rightful control over their water, forest and land and has also impacted the state's stake in development projects such as hydropower, mining, and oil exploration, where Arunachal holds only 10 per cent equity, with 90 per cent resting with the Centre and project developers. Calling for a 'fair restructuring of Article 371(H)" and enhanced state equity in resource-based projects, Siram urged Gandhi to intervene and support economic empowerment and constitutional justice for the people of the state, it added. Gandhi acknowledged the significance of the issue and assured that it would be taken up seriously. The second major concern presented during the meeting was the contentious Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). This proposed mega dam over the Siang River, with an estimated capacity of 11,000 MW and a height exceeding 300 meters, has triggered strong opposition from indigenous tribal communities in the state and downstream areas in Assam. Siram expressed concern over the potential displacement of over 1.5 lakh people, mostly from the Adi and other indigenous tribes, as well as the submergence of 27 villages, leading to the loss of ancestral homes, agricultural lands, and cultural heritage sites including Kekar Monying, a historic Adi landmark. He warned of the irreversible ecological damage the project could cause, including destruction of biodiversity-rich forests, loss of flora and fauna, and disruption of riverine ecosystems. The APCC president further alleged that the project is being pushed through without Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) from local communities, with reports of forced surveys, deployment of armed personnel, and a colonial-style approach in handling opposition, the statement said. Siram stated that the SUMP violates Article 371(H), the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People's (UNDRIP). He highlighted the region's location in seismic Zone-V, warning that such a massive dam project in an earthquake-prone zone poses significant risks of landslides, erosion, and seismic-triggered disasters. While reiterating the Congress' support for development, Siram clarified that it stands against mega-dam projects of abnormal height that threaten the socio-cultural fabric and livelihoods of indigenous communities. He urged Gandhi to adopt a balanced, people-centric view on the SUMP issue. Gandhi responded empathetically, terming it a matter of national concern and promised to evaluate it with seriousness, the statement added. Siram also raised the demand to scrap the New Pension Scheme (NPS), which is market-linked and does not guarantee a fixed pension. He called for the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to ensure retirement security for government employees in the state. PTI UPL UPL MNB (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 31, 2025, 17:45 IST News agency-feeds APCC chief meets Rahul Gandhi, raises key state issues Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India.com
4 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Masterstroke by Modi government, launches double strike on China, hampers Xi Jinping's plan of building world's largest dam by... India plans to...
Siang Dam: A tractor slowly climbed a muddy hill in Beging village of Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh on May 21. According to the reports, the vehicle was carrying a drilling machine and other equipment meant for a special study. This study was being conducted to explore the possibility of constructing a large dam on the Siang River. The Siang River is known as the Brahmaputra in Assam and the Yarlung Tsangpo in China. The local Adi community there is against the dam and has been protesting. Authorities, meanwhile, tried to carry out the work discreetly. They planned to begin operations in Beging village first and then transport the equipment across the river. Locals are protesting against the dam: According to an ET report, protestors marched to Beging, cut off its only link to the outside world — a hanging bridge — and damaged the drilling machines, halting the survey work. Law enforcement agencies, despite the growing protests, remained restrained and avoided confrontation in the sensitive border region. Fearing a worsening of the situation, authorities temporarily suspended the operations. Here are some of the key details: The NHPC engineers stationed at the current drilling site moved to Pasighat, the main town located on the banks of the Siang River This has brought a temporary calm to the disputed riverfront. The government remains committed to constructing the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), which is estimated to cost ₹1.5 lakh crore. The project includes a 267-meter-high dam with a storage capacity of 9.2 billion cubic meters (BCM), designed as a strategic reservoir to counter potential upstream water diversion by China. Dam Vs Dam: It is important to note that this 1,000-megawatt project offers Arunachal Pradesh 12 percent free electricity and revenue sharing. The timing coincides with Beijing laying the foundation of the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River. The building of the dam marks the beginning of strategic water management in the Eastern Himalayas. This raises a critical question: Will India's defensive dam strategy provide effective deterrence in this sensitive region, or will it further exacerbate environmental vulnerabilities? Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said on July 9, 'This (Chinese dam) poses an existential threat to our tribes and our livelihood. It is quite serious because China could even use it as a kind of 'water bomb'.' He made this statement just a few days before Beijing officially announced the commencement of the construction work.
The Print
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Arunachal CM pushes for local consensus on Siang Upper Multipurpose Project
Chairing a high-level review meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, chief secretary Manish Kumar Gupta, and senior officers from the hydro power development department at the civil secretariat here, Khandu said, 'Their (indigenous) feedback must be duly considered at every stage.' The statement comes amid growing signs of local acceptance for the controversial project, with villagers from Riga and Pangkang (Kumku) recently signing MoUs in support of a Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. He told officials to ensure that indigenous voices are integrated into every stage of the hydropower initiative. Itanagar, Jul 21 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday underscored the importance of local people's participation in the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). The chief minister expressed satisfaction over reports that villagers from the project-affected areas are coming forward to support the preparation of the PFR, terming it a positive development for participatory hydropower planning. The SUMP is a proposed 11,000 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric project on the Siang River, one of the major tributaries of the Brahmaputra. Originally conceived by NHPC in 2009, it is envisioned not just as a power generator but also a critical tool for irrigation and flood moderation. The reservoir, if built to full scale, would be among the largest in the country, with a storage capacity of nearly 9 billion cubic metres. PTI COR UPL UPL RG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Dam gamble on Siang: China moves ahead with its mega project - Will India's response face local resistance?
Tractors slowly climbed a muddy hillside in Begging village of Arunachal Pradesh's Siang district, carrying drilling rigs and equipment for a sensitive pre-feasibility study on May 21. The goal was to assess the possibility of building a massive dam across the Siang River, called the Brahmaputra in Assam and Yarlung Zangbo in China. But on the opposite bank, in Parong, anger was already building. The local Adi community, opposed to the dam, had been staging protests. Authorities tried to keep operations quiet, planning to start work in Begging and later ferry equipment across the river. However, within a week, resistance intensified. Protesters marched to Begging, cut off its only link to the outside world, a hanging bridge — and damaged the drilling machines, bringing the survey to a halt, ET reported. Despite growing unrest, law enforcement remained restrained, avoiding confrontation in the sensitive border area. The authorities, cautious of escalation, suspended operations temporarily. NHPC engineers stationed at the proposed drilling location withdrew to Pasighat, the primary town along the Siang, leaving the contested riverbank quiet. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remember Him? Take A Deep Breath Before You See Him Now The Noodle Box Undo This tranquility is temporary. The government remains committed to constructing the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), a Rs 1,50,000 crore initiative. The project features a 267-m-tall dam with 9.2 billion cubic metres (bcm) storage capacity, designed as a strategic reserve against potential upstream water releases by China. The 11,000 MW project offers Arunachal Pradesh 12% free electricity and revenue participation. The timing aligns with Beijing's recent groundbreaking of the world's largest dam upstream on the Brahmaputra, initiating strategic water management in the Eastern Himalayas. A critical question emerges: will India's defensive dam strategy provide effective deterrence or exacerbate environmental vulnerabilities in this sensitive region. The timing is telling. Just days ago, China began work on what is expected to be the world's largest dam on the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River. India's own plans for a massive dam on the Siang — the river's name in Arunachal Pradesh, appear to be a strategic response. But the move raises a critical question. Can India's proposed dam act as a credible counter to China's project, or will it deepen environmental and social challenges in the fragile Eastern Himalayan region? "It (the Chinese dam) is going to cause an existential threat to our tribes and our livelihoods. It is quite serious because China could even use this as a sort of 'water bomb'," Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu told PTI on July 9, just days before Beijing formally announced the commencement of construction. China's first move China was the first to disturb the fragile peace along the McMahon Line. In 2020, amid rising military tensions with India in Ladakh's Galwan Valley, Beijing unveiled plans for a massive hydropower project on the Yarlung Zangbo. It was folded into China's 14th Five-Year Plan, signaling how seriously the country views its strategic importance. That dam, now under construction in Nyingchi near the Great Bend of the river, is expected to outsize even China's famous Three Gorges Dam. It will feature five cascading power stations, generate 300 million megawatthours (MWh) annually, and cost roughly $168 billion. Premier Li Qiang formally launched the project on July 19, calling it the 'project of the century.' China has also created a state-owned firm, China Yajiang Group — to manage construction. China's capital markets have reacted with enthusiasm. Stocks of key engineering firms surged after the announcement, and the CSI Construction & Engineering Index jumped 4% to hit a 7-month high. India's strategic response India's proposed SUMP project is seen as a direct counter to China's dam. The aim: to establish a strategic foothold on the Siang river before it becomes heavily regulated upstream. However, while China's project is already underway, India's remains stuck at the pre-feasibility stage. The project has run into stiff resistance from local communities in Arunachal Pradesh. On May 21, when two rigs were quietly moved into the village of Begging to start pre-feasibility drilling, protests broke out on the opposite bank in Parong. Within a week, angry villagers destroyed the rigs and cut off access by damaging a fragile hanging bridge — the only connection to the outside world. Ecological and cultural fears Many are also worried about the environmental impact of two mega dams facing off across the McMahon Line. The Eastern Himalayas are a seismically active and ecologically fragile zone. Experts warn that the scale of these projects could disrupt the delicate balance of the region's rivers and biodiversity. A bigger concern is the potential for water diversion. According to internal government documents, 84% of the Siang's winter flow in Arunachal Pradesh originates in China. If Beijing decides to divert or block this flow, the Brahmaputra could shrink drastically in the dry season, especially in Upper Assam, before tributaries replenish it downstream, ET reported. Assam's position Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has tried to downplay the risks, arguing that 70% of the Brahmaputra's flow comes from Indian territory and Bhutan, not China. However, experts argue that this may be true on an annual average — but not during the critical winter months, when Chinese-origin water dominates the flow. Could the Brahmaputra shrink? Though the Brahmaputra is often seen as a mighty and resilient river, the data reveals a more complex picture, especially during the dry winter months. As per internal documents related to India's proposed Siang Upper Middle Stage Project (SUMP), 84% of the Brahmaputra's water in Arunachal Pradesh between November and April originates in China. This raises serious concerns. If China diverts or controls the flow upstream through its new mega dam project on the Yarlung Zangbo, the river's volume downstream, especially in Upper Assam—could drop dramatically. In its early stretches, before tributaries join in, the Brahmaputra may shrink to a trickle, threatening the region's ecological balance and biodiversity. The looming presence of two massive dams—one on each side of the McMahon Line—adds urgency to the issue. Experts and locals alike are asking: What will happen to the river and the people who depend on it if both projects go ahead? Voices from the ground: Protests and fears In January, during a visit to the proposed dam sites in Arunachal Pradesh—Parong, Dite Dime, and Ugeng—a sense of fear and resistance was clearly visible. Villagers in Parong, which has around 125 families, voiced strong opposition. 'We are not just opposing the dam, we are against any feasibility studies being conducted here,' Tato Pabin, a local resident of Parong told ET. 'Our orange farms, which thrive in the low-lying areas along the river, will be completely wiped out," he added. Parong has emerged as the frontrunner site for the dam. The other two locations, Dite Dime and Ugeng, appear to have been dropped from active consideration, according to an official familiar with the project. Widespread impact on villages While a full assessment is still pending, initial estimates suggest that nearly 59 villages could be affected by the dam. Of these, at least 15 villages may require complete relocation. So far, only three villages—Pangkang, Riga, and Riew—have given their approval for the project. The rest remain either opposed or undecided, reflecting widespread apprehension in the region. Beyond the human and environmental cost, the proposed dam poses risks to vital infrastructure. A key stretch of road leading to the Tuting Advanced Landing Ground, a strategically important military airstrip near the China border, could be submerged if the project proceeds. This would force authorities to construct an alternative route at a higher elevation—a major logistical and financial undertaking—to maintain military and civilian access in this sensitive frontier zone. As both countries push forward with dam projects, the geopolitical and ecological stakes are higher than ever. Whether India's dam becomes a deterrent or a new source of conflict — or environmental damage — remains to be seen. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
