Itanagar, Mar 20: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Thursday underscored the strategic significance of the proposed Upper Siang Multipurpose Project, stating that its primary objective would be to act as a water storage facility to prevent the Siang River from drying up and to regulate water flow in case of sudden releases from China’s upstream projects.
Addressing public gatherings at Adi-Pasi Village and Simong Village during his two-day visit to Siang and Upper Siang districts, Mein expressed concerns over China’s $137 billion hydroelectric project over the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which aims to generate 60,000 MW of electricity. He cautioned that any diversion of water by China could lead to the drying up of the Siang River and its distributaries, severely impacting aquatic life and populations in Assam and Bangladesh that rely on the Brahmaputra for irrigation.
Highlighting security concerns, Mein warned that in the event of a conflict, China could release a massive volume of water from the dam, potentially triggering unprecedented floods in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, causing loss of lives and property.
“The implications of such a massive project by China cannot be ignored. The Government of India has proposed the Upper Siang Multipurpose Project to mitigate downstream flooding in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Bangladesh, while also addressing environmental concerns,” he said.
He clarified that power generation, estimated at 11,000 MW, would be a secondary objective of the project. The dam’s primary function would be to store water during lean periods, ensuring continuous flow and serving as a buffer against unexpected water releases from upstream.
Urging the educated section of society to create awareness on the project’s benefits, Mein appealed to those opposing it to engage in discussions. He assured that the government would not impose the project against public will and pledged proper rehabilitation measures, including model villages with essential facilities, road connectivity along both sides of the Siang River, hospitals, and educational institutions.
A dedicated committee has been constituted to address public concerns and facilitate discussions, he informed.
The deputy Chief minister made these remarks while inaugurating the Mirem Batum Lingkang War Memorial and interacting with villagers in Upper Siang district.