HT Correspondent
DOIMUKH, Oct 23: People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) State President and MLA Nabam Vivek has urged the Arunachal Pradesh Government to create a separate state-level entity to address issues related to the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) instead of allowing Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) such as NHPC to handle the project.
Speaking to the media, Nabam Vivek said that the proposed hydropower project has stirred widespread debate and dissatisfaction among the local populace.
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“I have been closely following the developments in the media and social platforms. On one side, there is discontent and concern among the local people; on the other, security forces are being deployed and public meetings are being held in support of the PFR (Pre-Feasibility Report) inspection,” he stated.
The PPA leader informed that he had personally visited the project-affected areas on September 24 and 25, interacting with villagers to understand the ground realities of the SUMP.
“I visited both the left and right banks of the Siang River, including villages such as Paron, Geku, Yingkiong, Jengging, and Boleng. During my visit, I realised that the concerns of the people are genuine and deeply rooted,” he said.
According to Vivek, most of the agricultural and Wet Rice Cultivation (WRC) lands are situated on both banks of the river, and villagers have no alternative livelihood sources.
“The people are emotionally connected to their land. They fear losing not just their property but their identity, culture, and demographic balance. They believe that the project could lead to irreversible losses to their agricultural and horticultural fields,” he explained.
While acknowledging that hydropower development is a major source of potential revenue for a resource-rich state like Arunachal Pradesh, Vivek emphasised the need for an approach that ensures transparency, accountability, and fairness.
He proposed the creation of a state-owned corporation, to be named the Siang Hydro Power Development Corporation (SHPDC), to oversee all matters related to the project.
He suggested that the office of this corporation should be based within the state and not under any external agency.
“All discussions, decisions, and resolutions concerning the SUMP should be made locally in Arunachal Pradesh. This will ensure quicker redressal of grievances, better coordination, and greater public confidence,” he said.
Vivek also proposed a dedicated compensation and revenue-sharing mechanism to maintain trust between the government and affected communities.
He suggested that compensation and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) benefits should be directly transferred to the bank accounts of land-affected families through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, either monthly or annually.
He added that the share of project revenue for local development should be increased even after commissioning, ensuring sustained regional progress.
“The voices, emotions, and rights of the land-affected people must be given due respect. The sentiments of the local population cannot be overlooked in the name of development. The government must take proactive measures to safeguard the interests, environment, and rights of the affected communities,” Vivek said, urging the government to build mutual trust between the state authorities and the people.
The PPA President further proposed the constitution of a special committee to examine the SUMP in detail.
The committee, he suggested, should include non-political representatives to ensure an unbiased assessment of public concerns and project feasibility.
“Such a committee can help frame a balanced proposal that upholds both developmental goals and the welfare of the people,” Vivek added. Concluding his statement, the regional party chief reiterated that development must not come at the cost of local identity and livelihood, and that the people of the Siang region deserve to be genuine stakeholders in decisions that affect their future.
