The proposed Siang dam project in India’s Arunachal Pradesh is facing opposition from indigenous communities who fear its reservoir could submerge villages and farmland. The 11,200-megawatt hydropower plan is also intended to address the potential effects of a larger Chinese dam upstream.

Key Takeaways

  • India’s cabinet decided in September 2026 to carry out a pre-feasibility survey; the assessment is not construction approval.
  • A farmers’ group estimates that 27 villages could be submerged and more than 150,000 people displaced.
  • Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu says the state will listen to affected communities.

Why the Siang dam project is being proposed

The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, planned across Upper Siang, Siang and East Siang districts, is being developed by hydropower company NHPC. The idea dates to 1983 and was declared a national project in 2008.

The Arunachal Pradesh government says the project would help regulate floods and counter the impact of China’s 60,000-megawatt dam under development at Medog in Tibet. The Siang flows into Assam, where it joins the Dibang and Lohit rivers to form the Brahmaputra.

Khandu said the proposed Indian project is designed for 9.2 billion cubic metres of live storage, compared with an estimated 5.5 billion cubic metres for the Chinese project. He said electricity-generating capacity and water-storage capacity are different measures: the height from which water falls also affects power generation.

Communities warn of lost land and livelihoods

Opposition groups include the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum, Adi Baane Kebang-United, the SUMP-Affected Youth Association and the Adi Galo Welfare Society. They warn that the reservoir could flood villages and paddy fields, threatening local livelihoods and food security.

The farmers’ forum estimates that 27 villages could be submerged and more than 150,000 people displaced. It has also warned of potential damage to heritage sites and alleges that surveys are being conducted without the consent of affected communities.

Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang has called for the project to be scrapped. Khandu has said the state government will hear people’s concerns and provide clarity and support to affected residents.

What the preliminary assessment will decide

Khandu said the pre-feasibility report will assess technical viability and potential implications, but does not authorize construction. Several villages have signed agreements with the state government to facilitate survey work.

If the project is found feasible, Khandu said it would require further scrutiny, including social and environmental impact assessments and a detailed project report.

Read More News

More FinanceVelix news

Disclaimer

This FinanceVelix article provides general information, not personalized financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Market prices, interest rates and economic conditions can change; investments carry a risk of loss. Facts reflect the material available when published and may change. Check important information independently and consult a qualified professional when needed. Mentioning an asset, company, or service is not an endorsement.