Arunachal CM Refutes Claims of Forceful Push for Siang River Mega Dam

When asked whether the state was using its authority to compel support for the massive Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, Arunachal Pradesh’s chief minister, Pema Khandu, pushed back sharply. He told reporters that the notion of the government “arm‑twisting” villagers is simply off‑base.

The Siang river, which turns into the Yarlung Tsangpo once it crosses into Tibet, is being eyed for a hydro‑electric complex that could generate somewhere between 11,000 and 12,500 megawatts. That is a huge number – enough to light up a good part of the country – but it also brings a heap of concerns.

Khandu stressed that the administration has kept its doors open for anyone who wants to raise doubts. “Any organisation, individual or group with any question about the pre‑feasibility report can come and discuss with the government,” he said, trying to sound both firm and accommodating.

He reminded listeners that discussions about the project and its pre‑feasibility study have been rolling for about two years now. In that time, several villages have actually signed memoranda of understanding in favour of the dam, indicating a level of grassroots support that is often overlooked.

Still, the atmosphere is far from calm. The Central Bureau of Investigation recently lodged a case against Bhanu Tatak, a lawyer and vocal anti‑dam activist, accusing him of taking foreign money in breach of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. The timing of the case, coming just days after Khandu’s statements, has added another layer of tension.

Why the rush, some observers ask? India frames the project as a strategic counterbalance to China’s 60,000‑MW Medog hydropower plant on the same river’s upstream stretch. From a geopolitical angle, that rationale makes sense, but on the ground the picture is messier.

People across four districts – East Siang, Siang, Upper Siang and West Siang – have taken to the streets, fearing displacement, ecological damage and the seismic hazards that a dam of this scale could trigger. Environmentalists warn that the region’s fragile biodiversity could be irrevocably altered.

Despite the push‑back, Khandu reiterated that the government is not intent on “forceful” implementation. He invited dissenting voices to present their concerns, promising that the administration will consider them before any final decision is taken.

In short, the debate over the Siang dam remains very much alive, caught between strategic imperatives, local anxieties, and the legal drama surrounding an outspoken activist. Whether the state’s invitation for dialogue translates into genuine negotiation will be the real test in the weeks ahead.