In the remote corners of the Himalayas, where rivers carve their paths through deep gorges, a silent war is brewing—a battle not fought with weapons but with dams, reservoirs, and megawatts of power. The Brahmaputra River, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, is at the heart of this high-stakes contest between India and China. As Beijing pushes forward with its colossal 60,000 MW hydropower project in Medog county, just 30 km from Arunachal Pradesh, India is racing to counter it with the Upper Siang Hydroelectric Project.
Reports suggest that besides the 60,000 MW project, Beijing is considering a South-North Diversion Project, a 1,000 km-long scheme that could reroute the river’s flow toward its dry northern regions. This would not be China’s first grand-scale water diversion—since 2013, it has shifted 60 billion cubic meters of water from the south to the north through a vast network of canals and tunnels.
Photo: China’s South to North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP) – The Routes; Credit: ResearchGate
For India, this is a looming crisis. The Brahmaputra sustains Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and any disruption—especially in the lean season—could cripple agriculture, biodiversity, and hydropower generation. The fear of artificial floods during monsoons, triggered by sudden water releases from massive upstream reservoirs, adds another layer of risk.
India’s Upper Siang Hydroelectric Project
To counter China’s water strategies, India has planned the Upper Siang Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh. Located in the Upper Siang district, with headquarters in Yingkiong, the project is being developed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO).
On December 30, 2022, NHPC submitted a pre-feasibility report with key specifications:
- Installed capacity: 11,000 MW
- Reservoir storage: 9 billion cubic metres (BCM)
- Estimated cost: Rs 1,130 billion (US$ 13 billion)
Under India’s hydropower policy, Arunachal Pradesh is entitled to 12% of the project’s annual electricity generation, estimated at 5,640 million units (MU), equivalent to 1,320 MW of free power. At Rs 6 per unit, this translates to an annual revenue of Rs 33.84 billion for the state. Additionally, 1% of the project’s revenue, approximately Rs 2.82 billion, will be allocated to affected communities.
Further benefits include:
- Each displaced family receives 100 units of free electricity annually, as per the National Hydro Power Policy 2008.
- Compensation for land and property acquisition.
- Employment opportunities for local youth.
- Economic prospects in fish breeding, water transport, and tourism in the 125 km-long reservoir.
Execution Plan and Challenges
The Upper Siang Hydro Electric Project is a joint venture (JV) between NEEPCO, NHPC, and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh (GoAP). The project is divided into two phases:
- Phase I: Construction of a 185-meter-high dam near Goging village.
- Phase II: Major structures include:
- 140-meter-high gravity dam
- Dual-level spillway with seven radial gates (upper) and seven vertical list gates (lower)
- Six 12.5-meter-wide diversion tunnels, up to 1,000 meters long
- Twelve 9.0-meter-diameter headrace tunnels (total length: 2,050 meters)
- Fifteen 6.8-meter-diameter penstocks
- Three powerhouses (one dam toe powerhouse and two underground caverns) with a total installed capacity of 11,000 MW
The project has faced multiple delays due to environmental concerns and local opposition, as over 300 tribal villages could be submerged. The Ministry of Power (MoP) has put the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on hold until a resolution is reached.
Financial Overview
The estimated cost of Rs 1,130 billion escalated from Rs 531 billion in 1999 to Rs 855 billion in 2009, before reaching current levels. Financial closure is still pending, and the initial completion date of January 2023 has been missed.
Key Milestones
- May 28, 2013: MoA signed between GoAP and NEEPCO.
- October 30, 2014: NHPC’s Board of Directors approved the JV.
- September 26, 2017: NITI Aayog proposed merging Siang Stage I and II into a single multi-purpose project.
- December 30, 2022: NHPC submitted the pre-feasibility report.
Threats from China and the United Tani Army
Beyond water disputes, China is allegedly supporting the United Tani Army (UTA), a militant group in Arunachal Pradesh, to oppose the Upper Siang Multipurpose Project. The UTA was founded by Anthony Doke, a former militant, with backing from the Naga militant group NSCN (K-YA), which has ties to China.
China has reportedly supplied the UTA with funds, arms, and training in Myanmar. The group exploits local protests against the project and other tribal issues to gain support, potentially delaying India’s hydropower expansion.
Conclusion
China’s Yarlung Tsangpo project is more than just an engineering marvel—it is a geopolitical move that threatens India’s water security. The Upper Siang Hydroelectric Project is India’s best countermeasure, not just to secure energy but to assert its rights over a river that sustains millions.
India’s Northeast holds an untapped hydropower potential of 50,000 MW. If executed efficiently, the Upper Siang project will not only safeguard India’s water resources but also drive Arunachal Pradesh’s development, ensuring energy independence.