Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Monday said no decision has been taken on construction of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (UMP), either by the Centre or state.“Let me be clear. We are not talking about dam construction at this stage. I assure each and every one of you that no decision has been made regarding construction of the Siang UMP by either the Government of India or the Government of Arunachal Pradesh,” Khandu said in a statement, seeking to dispel growing apprehension among the Adi community over the proposed mega project.Khandu said the SUMP would not move towards construction without extensive public consultations and people’s consent, as required under applicable land acquisition and environmental laws.He stated that this is also a “binding personal commitment from me to all the people of Siang and Upper Siang districts, the entire Adi community and all the people of Arunachal Pradesh.”Khandu said the govt was currently discussing only the preparation of a Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR), stressing that it was an initial exercise to assess the project’s viability and possible alternatives, not an approval for construction.“The PFR will also help us understand other possible options which could be explored to save Aane Siang. It is not a final approval, nor does it by itself mean that the project will be built,” he stated.The chief minister’s clarification comes amid mounting concerns over the project’s implications for ancestral land, homes, livelihoods and the Siang river, with sections of the Adi community apprehensive about possible displacement.He cited China’s reported construction of a mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo in Medog county, near the border, as a reason for examining water-security options, warning of risks from sudden high flows and winter water scarcity. Around 65% of the Aane Siang’s water, he said, comes from China.Rejecting claims that dam construction had already been approved or families would be forcibly displaced, Khandu termed such reports misinformation that was fuelling fear among residents.He said any future decision would be subject to statutory safeguards under the land acquisition and environmental protection laws, including provisions for compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement.Appealing for dialogue, Khandu said disagreement was legitimate in a democracy but violence, blockades and attacks would only hurt local people. He urged community organisations, public representatives and residents to engage in open discussions, saying the future of the Siang region and the Adi community must be decided through dialogue and consent.
