Staff Reporter 

ITANAGAR, May 30: Amidst growing protests against the proposed Siang Upper Multi-Purpose Project, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday clarified that the project cannot move forward without a public hearing. However, he strongly emphasized the need to first conduct a Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) to assess the viability of the project.
Addressing media queries, Khandu stated that the PFR is a crucial, non-intrusive process intended solely to evaluate the geological and technical feasibility of the project. “The PFR will not cause any displacement or damage to land or settlements. It’s only after this step that we can determine whether the site is suitable for construction,” he said.
Khandu also pointed out that the PFR would provide critical data on the potential height of the proposed dam, the area that would be submerged, and the quantum of electricity that could be generated.
Reiterating the strategic significance of the Siang project, the Chief Minister said it is not just a hydroelectric initiative but also a matter of national security. He referenced China’s massive 60,000 MW dam project on the same river upstream in the Tibet region—close to Arunachal’s borders—and warned of potential risks.
“Unlike India and Pakistan, who have the Indus Waters Treaty, there is no such agreement with China regarding rivers. This poses a serious threat of unregulated flooding or the drying up of the Siang River, which could have devastating effects,” Khandu cautioned.
In response to recent tensions in Boleng, the Chief Minister clarified that the deployment of armed forces in the region is not meant to suppress local voices but to ensure the safety of machinery and skilled workers involved in the PFR process. “Don’t believe in rumours and don’t take the law into your hands,” he appealed to the public.
Khandu reiterated that both the central and state governments are aligned in their approach: Let the PFR be conducted first, after which every concern—from environmental impact and compensation to displacement—will be thoroughly discussed.
The Chief Minister announced plans to convene a meeting led by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, inviting all stakeholders from the Siang belt to voice their concerns.
“Only through dialogue can we find a solution,” Khandu stressed.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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