Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said that the proposed Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) for the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) does not mean that the proposed dam will eventually be constructed, as he appealed to people opposing the project to engage in dialogue with the government.
Khandu made the remarks during his two-day visit to Siang and Upper Siang districts, where opposition to the proposed project has continued. He said the immediate objective of the PFR is to determine whether the project is technically feasible and, if so, identify a suitable location.
“This dam is not going to be built. This is only for PFR. Based on the PFR report, it will be seen whether this dam will be built or not,” Khandu said during an interaction in Upper Siang.
The Chief Minister explained that the PFR would involve limited technical investigations, including drilling at a few locations to collect rock samples for laboratory testing. He said the process was expected to take around two to three months.
“There is no damage to do PFR. The farm will not be destroyed, your house will not be destroyed, the forest will not be destroyed, nothing will be destroyed,” Khandu said.
According to the Chief Minister, further stages would be considered only after the PFR is completed and its findings examined. These could include public consultation, a social impact assessment, an environmental impact assessment and preparation of a detailed project report, depending on the outcome of the feasibility exercise.
Khandu also said that communities likely to be affected would be consulted before any decision on the project is taken.
“After PFR, the public hearing… all the details will be shown to the people. At that time, if we feel that we do not want this project, then I said that even today I can sign and see that the government will not force it,” he said.
The Chief Minister described the SUMP as a project of strategic importance to the country in addition to its proposed hydropower component. The Centre declared the project a National Project in 2008.
Khandu said his visit to the two districts was aimed at meeting different groups and explaining the government’s position on the PFR. He appealed to protesters to raise their concerns through dialogue rather than resorting to violence or damaging public property.
He also announced that Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, who holds the hydropower portfolio, would spend around a week in the area during a subsequent visit to facilitate wider consultations. Khandu said he would also spend more time in the region and visit Geku to interact directly with villagers.
