Arunachal Pradesh minister Ojing Tasing inspected the proposed pre-feasibility report site for the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project at Parong village in Siang district on Sunday, advancing preparations for the 11,000 MW hydel project despite repeated opposition from the indigenous Adi community.
Tasing visited the site to review arrangements for the pre-feasibility report, including site readiness, coordination among departments and agencies, and logistical and administrative requirements. The inspection was focused on preparations for the next stage of assessment rather than a final construction approval.
After the visit, Tasing said the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project was a project of national interest and significant for Arunachal Pradesh and the country. In a social media post, he said the process would be guided by dialogue, transparency and an inclusive approach, with the aspirations, welfare and long-term development of people in the region at its centre.
The minister also said development must move forward with the people and for the people. His remarks come as the proposed project faces sustained resistance from members of the Adi community, who have repeatedly opposed the plan.
The project is proposed to be executed by NHPC. At 11,000 MW, it would be a major addition to the country’s hydropower pipeline and would require assessments covering technical feasibility, site conditions and the project’s effects on the surrounding region. The inspection at Parong village forms part of the preparatory process for undertaking the pre-feasibility report activities.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu said on September 29 that the project would not proceed if experts found it technically unviable after the pre-feasibility report. That position places the technical assessment at the centre of the immediate decision-making process, while the government has also signalled the need for dialogue with affected communities.
The next formal milestone is the preparation and assessment of the pre-feasibility report. The report’s findings, along with the government’s stated commitment to consultation and the response of the Adi community, will determine how the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project moves forward.