In a major boost to national water security and regional development efforts, residents of Komkar village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district have extended overwhelming support for the preparation of the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). The project was declared of national importance by the Government of India in 2008.
On Tuesday, the villagers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Arunachal Pradesh government, formally endorsing the conduct of PFR-related studies. The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu (virtually), Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ojing Tasing, Mariyang-Geku MLA Oni Panyang, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta, IAS, and senior state officials.
Representatives from 245 out of 257 households of Komkar village—reflecting over 95 per cent consensus—supported the agreement, highlighting strong community backing for the preliminary studies. The development is seen as a key milestone in advancing the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, underscoring a model of informed consent, sustained dialogue and community participation, while balancing developmental goals with environmental and social considerations.
Village representatives reiterated their commitment to national interest and the long-term safety and prosperity of the Siang region and the Adi community. They also expressed appreciation for the state government’s extensive consultations and awareness initiatives, particularly regarding the strategic, ecological and water-security aspects of the project.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Pema Khandu thanked the people of Komkar for becoming the first village in Upper Siang district to formally support PFR studies, following similar agreements by four villages in Siang district earlier. He clarified that the current MoU pertains strictly to the preparation of the Pre-Feasibility Report and assured that no construction decision would be taken without exhaustive consultations and the consent of all Project Affected Families (PAFs).
The Chief Minister also highlighted emerging hydrological concerns, including possible diversion or reduction of water flow in the Siang River due to upstream interventions, stressing the need for the project to ensure ecological flow and regional water security.
Khandu further expressed gratitude to the Government of India for approving a Rs 350-crore Special Development Package for Siang and Upper Siang districts to strengthen education, healthcare, livelihoods and infrastructure. He urged Komkar village to form a Village Development Committee to identify priority programmes under the package.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency, the Chief Minister assured that public opinion and consent would remain central at every stage of pre-construction activities even after the completion of the PFR.
Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta praised the villagers for their unity, describing Komkar’s decision as a significant contribution to nation-building and regional development. MLA Oni Panyang termed the consensus a reflection of maturity and collective wisdom, stating that Komkar has set an example for participatory decision-making in the district.
Minister Ojing Tasing said the MoU followed more than a year of detailed consultations with all households. He highlighted the strategic importance of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in mitigating downstream risks and ensuring long-term stability for Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, commending the villagers for prioritising both state and national interests.
