Riew village backs for 11,000 MW Siang hydropower project

In Arunachal Pradesh, 98 households in Riew village (62% of the population), following over 300 in Riga, have now given their consent for preparing the pre-feasibility report for the 11,000 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). 

The shift in public engagement has come through a sustained process of dialogue, awareness-building, and technical education.  

Support for the project has grown amid strategic concerns over China’s construction of a major dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which becomes the Brahmaputra downstream. Experts have warned that the Chinese project may have long-term consequences for water availability, flow regulation, and ecological balance in the region.

The growing local support suggests effective government engagement but may mask coercion or incomplete community consent. The narrative of “inclusive development” could downplay displacement and environmental risks, with the project’s scale potentially disrupting the Siang River’s ecosystem and Adi tribal livelihoods. 

The Adi, part of the Tani group, rely on the Siang for livelihoods, viewing it as sacred (“Ane Siang”). Government narratives emphasise economic benefits and national security, but earlier protests highlight distrust, with claims of forced surveys. Dialogue has mitigated resistance, but risks to Adi culture and ecology remain underexplored.

SUMP is a strategic counter to China’s 60,000 MW dam, aiming to secure water flow and mitigate flood risks. This intensifies India-China rivalry over Brahmaputra resources, potentially escalating tensions while addressing energy security and regional influence.