HT Correspondent
ITANAGAR, Sept 20: Community support for the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) has gained further ground as Parong village formally extended its endorsement by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh for preparation of the Project’s Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR).
The signing ceremony, held in the presence of several key dignitaries, marked another significant milestone in the process of building consensus among local communities.
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Those present included deputy chief minister Chowna Mein, minister of rural development and panchayati raj Ojing Tasing, chief secretary Manish Kumar Gupta, Chairman of SUMP Development Corporation (SUMPDC) Tamiyo Taga, Commissioner Hydropower Sonam Chombey, Commissioner (Planning and Investment) Ankur Garg, Joint Secretary Hydropower Hage Lailang, Deputy Commissioner Siang Tayi Taggu, and Advisor to the Deputy Chief Minister Anupam Tangu.
Deputy chief minister Mein, welcoming the endorsement, said the decision of the people of Parong reflected a collective aspiration for development and prosperity.
“The signing of the MoU by the people of Parong is a significant step forward. With over 62 percent households extending their support, the village has demonstrated its confidence in the transformative potential of the project. This step reflects our shared belief that the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project will bring meaningful development and new opportunities to the region,” he said.
Expressing their optimism, residents of Parong also shared their views during the event.
Taram Jerang, who attended the signing, remarked, “We, the residents of Parong, are hopeful that by supporting the MoU for PFR, our village will see real progress.”
Another villager, Tamat Pabin, echoed this sentiment, saying, “By supporting the MoU for PFR, we see this as a step toward a brighter future for Siang and Arunachal Pradesh.”
The SUMP, declared a National Project by the Government of India in 2008, is envisioned as a crucial intervention in strengthening the country’s water and energy security.
It is expected not only to contribute significantly to hydropower generation but also to address concerns related to flood moderation and irrigation.
Officials have emphasised that while the project will bring modern development, equal care will be taken to preserve the cultural identity and traditions of the local communities.
Parong now joins the growing list of villages backing the initiative.
Earlier, four villages — Pangkang, Riga, Riew, and Begging — had signed similar MoUs for the PFR process.
Together, these endorsements demonstrate an emerging consensus among Siang communities, laying a strong social foundation for the eventual implementation of the project.
Observers note that such village-level endorsements reflect a broader trend of trust-building between the government and local stakeholders.
With more communities coming forward in support, the SUMP is steadily moving from concept to groundwork, setting the stage for a project that aims to balance developmental goals with social and environmental considerations.
With Parong’s endorsement, the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project continues to gain momentum, reinforcing Arunachal Pradesh’s pivotal role in India’s pursuit of water and energy security.
