Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government and villagers of Pangkang (Kumku) on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to prepare a preliminary feasibility report (PFR) for the ambitious Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) at Boleng in Siang district.
The MoU was signed by Siang Deputy Commissioner P.N. Thungon and Pangkang (Kumku) leaders Taba Tamut and Bakin Tali.
The proposed project, if deemed feasible, promises transformative socio-economic benefits for the local community while serving as a strategic countermeasure to China’s aggressive hydropower infrastructure development on the Yarlung Tsangpo, the upstream section of the Siang River in Tibet, an official statement said.
Designed not only to generate clean energy, but also to enhance environmental resilience and safeguard downstream river flows, the 11,000 MW project is considered a critical component of India’s water security and national interest in the Northeast, it added.
The MoU includes a special development package of Rs 5 crore to be implemented over three years and managed by a newly formed Village Development Committee (VDC).
According to the statement, the committee, consisting of likely project-affected families, will oversee infrastructure upgrades, healthcare services and livelihood programmes, ensuring inclusive and equitable growth for the community.
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“The villagers of Pangkang (Kumku) have shown incredible wisdom and maturity by deciding to cooperate with the government in the conduct of PRF for SUMP,” said Deputy Commissioner Thungon.
“This is not only about power or water. It is about harnessing the potential of the River Siang for the collective prosperity of the local area, state and the nation,” he said.
