urges Congress to examine project history
Itanagar, Oct 14: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Arunachal Pradesh, on Wednesday defended the strategic significance of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) and other hydropower projects in the state, urging the opposition Congress to examine the project’s historical background and national security implications before making public statements.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office here, Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak and Information and Public Relations Minister Nyato Dukam responded to allegations raised by Congress leaders and called for informed debate on major infrastructure projects.
Tagak said SUMP was initiated in 1983 under the Brahmaputra Board and accorded National Project status in 2008 during the Congress-led UPA government. He said the project’s strategic importance had gained renewed attention in 2019 amid reports of a proposed 60,000-MW hydropower project in Tibet under Chinese control. Referring to reports that construction of the Chinese project began in 2025, he said developments upstream of the Brahmaputra underscored the need for India to strengthen its water resource management and strategic preparedness.
He said SUMP should not be viewed merely as a hydropower project but also in the context of national security, water resource management and the long-term development of Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast.
Appealing to the Congress to approach the issue with responsibility, Tagak urged its leaders to consider the project’s history and their party’s role in its development. He said genuine public concerns should be addressed through informed dialogue rather than political allegations that could create confusion and apprehension.
The MP said India had the technological capabilities and technical expertise to undertake major hydropower projects and that national agencies were prepared to conduct the necessary surveys and assessments. However, he expressed concern that even preliminary procedures, including the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) stage, were facing obstacles.
He cautioned against misinformation and political provocation, arguing that the debate over strategically important infrastructure should be guided by facts and an assessment of its developmental and security implications.
Highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s geographical position and proximity to the international border, Tagak said its Himalayan river systems made water resource management and strategic infrastructure development particularly significant.
He also referred to the role of water infrastructure in managing river flows and mitigating flood risks, citing the Kosi Barrage as an example. He said transboundary river management required long-term planning, scientific assessment and strategic foresight.
Clarifying the nature of the proposed project, Tagak said SUMP could not be taken up for construction overnight, as major infrastructure projects had to pass through several stages of examination, assessment and approval. The PFR, he said, was an initial exercise to assess feasibility, including the suitability of potential locations, and should not be interpreted as an immediate decision to begin construction.
Dukam, meanwhile, said hydropower projects could contribute to Arunachal Pradesh’s economic growth by strengthening infrastructure, generating employment, promoting local development and supporting the country’s energy security.
The BJP maintained that discussions on SUMP and other hydropower projects should take into account the long-term interests of both the state and the country, while ensuring appropriate environmental safeguards, technical assessments and public consultation.
The press conference concluded with an appeal to political parties, public representatives and other stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and assess major development projects on the basis of their historical background, strategic significance and potential benefits.