Concerns Raised Over Siang Upper Multipurpose Project's Impact on Assam

Independent Assessment Urged for Siang Project

Guwahati, Nov 3: The Assam Congress has called on the central government to initiate an independent evaluation of the potential downstream effects of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), expressing worries about flood risks, water security, and the livelihoods of people in Assam.

In a letter addressed to Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil on October 29, Gaurav Gogoi, the Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, emphasized the significance of the Siang River, which is vital to the Brahmaputra basin, for sustaining Assam’s agricultural sector, river ecosystems, and local livelihoods.

He highlighted that any significant changes to the river's flow necessitate a comprehensive assessment of the impacts on communities downstream, along with a commitment to transparency and formal consultations with Assam.

Gogoi noted that while SUMP is being promoted as a strategic measure against China's proposed mega-dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo, it is crucial that Assam's interests are equally prioritized. He warned that the project's goals of ensuring consistent water flow and flood moderation should not be assumed as guaranteed results.

He pointed out the region's susceptibility to extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall, landslides, and glacial lake outburst floods, and drew comparisons to issues raised regarding the Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project, such as sudden water releases, riverbank erosion, flooding, and adverse effects on local livelihoods.

Gogoi referenced a 2025 study that documented community concerns about flooding, declining fish populations, and agricultural losses, emphasizing the necessity for independent evaluations, transparent monitoring, and active involvement of affected communities.

He also mentioned the 2013 Cumulative Impact and Carrying Capacity Study of the Siang Sub-Basin, which highlighted potential ecological and livelihood impacts from earlier proposed Siang projects, including the effects of daily winter water releases on river islands like Kobo Chapori in Assam.

Although this study did not specifically assess SUMP in its current iteration, Gogoi argued that its findings underscore the importance of a thorough investigation into the proposed project's downstream effects.

He requested clarification from the Union ministry regarding whether the Assam government had been formally consulted and sought the release of relevant project assessments and hydrological studies.

Gogoi recalled former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's 2014 demand for formal consultations with Assam prior to the initiation of major dam projects in Arunachal Pradesh. In 2015, the former chief minister had withheld support for the Middle Siang project until its benefits for local communities could be established.

In response, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu assured residents of Siang and Upper Siang districts, particularly the Adi community, that no decisions regarding SUMP would be made without public consultation and consent. His statement came amid growing protests against the project, including a 36-hour bandh that disrupted daily life in Upper Siang district.

Khandu acknowledged the concerns regarding ancestral lands, homes, livelihoods, and the Siang River, which is revered by the Adi community as Aane Siang. He stated that the government would address these concerns through open dialogue, transparency, and meaningful consultations, ensuring that the aspirations and interests of the people are considered before proceeding.