Itanagar, Apr 23: In a major push to position Arunachal Pradesh as a premier tourism destination, the state government has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform the Subansiri Lower Project pondage into a world-class mountain-cum-river immersive tourism hub. The initiative aims to integrate eco-tourism, adventure, culture, and sustainable livelihoods.
The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (2,000 MW) — the largest hydroelectric project in India on the Subansiri River — is expected to be fully commissioned by December 2026, with four units already operational. The pondage created by the project is being envisioned as a unique opportunity to develop a high-value tourism ecosystem within one of the country’s most biodiverse river corridors.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking central government support for the project. He also requested technical collaboration from key Union ministries, including Tourism, Power, Jal Shakti, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Development of North Eastern Region, advocating a whole-of-government approach to realise the vision.
According to the proposal, the tourism development plan will incorporate eco-tourism and nature-based experiences, adventure tourism and water sports, cultural and heritage tourism, inland fisheries, luxury river cruises and marine-based activities.
The model draws inspiration from globally renowned destinations such as Phewa Lake in Nepal, Kaeng Krachan in Thailand, Lake Como and the Dolomite lake circuits in Italy, and Milford Sound in New Zealand.
Khandu emphasised that local and tribal communities will play a central role in the project as key stakeholders, beneficiaries, and custodians of the region’s cultural and ecological heritage.
The project is expected to generate over 2,500 jobs in its steady state, particularly benefiting local youth, while aiming to attract more than 1.5 lakh tourists annually in the medium term. This is likely to significantly boost sustainable livelihoods and strengthen the state’s tourism-driven economy.
In the first phase, the government will engage leading design and planning agencies to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR), including financial estimates and implementation frameworks, in consultation with local communities.
The initiative is being seen as a transformational step towards leveraging hydropower infrastructure for sustainable tourism development, while promoting Arunachal Pradesh as a high-value destination on both national and global tourism maps.
Notably, on March 28, the Chief Minister, along with officials, undertook a high-speed river journey covering around 45 km along the Subansiri River, from the project site at Dollungmukh to the Kamle-Subansiri confluence. The expedition was part of efforts to explore and integrate the river’s tourism potential with ongoing hydropower development.