Arunachal Pradesh is experiencing protests against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), an 11,200-MW hydropower project planned for the Siang river. The protests, initially against survey and pre-feasibility work, have led to clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
The project, which is in its pre-feasibility stage, is planned to have approximately 9.2 billion cubic metres of live storage. The Arunachal Pradesh government states that SUMP’s purpose extends beyond power generation, aiming to regulate water in the Siang basin, especially considering China’s upstream hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo.
Further stages for the project, if found technically feasible, would include a Social Impact Assessment, an Environmental Impact Assessment, and a Detailed Project Report before construction could be considered.
Source: Down To Earth