Community support for the ambitious ‘Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP)’ in Arunachal Pradesh is gaining ground, with Parong village becoming the latest to formalise its backing.
The village signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government for the preparation of the Project’s Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR), marking another step toward building consensus for one of India’s most significant hydropower initiatives.
The signing ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ojing Tasing, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta, Chairman of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project Development Corporation (SUMPDC) Tamiyo Taga, Hydropower Commissioner Sonam Chombey, Planning and Investment Commissioner Ankur Garg, Joint Secretary Hydropower Hage Lailang, Siang Deputy Commissioner Tayi Taggu, and Advisor to the Deputy Chief Minister Anupam Tangu.
Welcoming the move, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein described Parong’s decision as “a significant step forward” in the region’s development journey. “With over 62 per cent of households extending their support to the MoU, the people of Parong have shown their commitment to progress. This step reflects our collective belief that the project will bring meaningful development and new opportunities to the region,” he said.
Local residents echoed that optimism. “We, the residents of Parong, are hopeful that by supporting the MoU for the PFR, our village will see real progress,” said Taram Jerang, while Tamat Pabin added, “We see this as a step toward a brighter future for Siang and Arunachal Pradesh.”
The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, declared a National Project by the Government of India in 2008, is envisaged as a cornerstone of the country’s water and energy security strategy.
Located on the Siang River, the project is designed to generate clean hydropower while also contributing to flood moderation and irrigation, making it one of the largest multipurpose projects planned in the Northeast. Its scale has, however, made community consent a critical factor for moving forward.
Before Parong, four other villages—Pangkang, Riga, Riew, and Begging—had already signed MoUs supporting the PFR process. Together, these endorsements represent growing trust and unity among Siang communities, building a strong social foundation for the project.
Officials believe that this expanding grassroots support signals a turning point for SUMP. The government has pledged to ensure that the project balances modern development with cultural preservation while strengthening Arunachal Pradesh’s role in national energy and water security.