Despite protests, Arunachal Pradesh charts an action plan to generate 58,00MW power by 2035

Guwahati: Amid public protests and concerns expressed over proposed dams for hydro power projects, Arunachal Pradesh government has charted out a decade-long action plan to generate 58,000MW hydro power by 2035.

A meeting of the Cabinet also decided to construct a future ready township and better compensation to tackle possible displacement that will occur due to the hydro power projects including the one proposed on the Siang river.

The government also decided to request the Centre for a special development package for the Siang and Upper Siang districts, where a protest is underway against the proposed Siang multi-purpose project.

"During the Decade of Hydro Power (2025-2035), the government aims to undertake strategic policy and governance measures to harness the hydropower potential through a judicious mix of mega, large and small hydroelectric projects.

"It also seeks to create a stable and supportive policy and regulatory framework for the overall development of the industrial ecosystem in the state, both as a source of economic growth and as a means of generating employment and self-employment opportunities for the youths," said a statement issued after a Cabinet meeting.

The government said with work for 19 GW of hydropower projects underway, the state expects cumulative investments of over Rs. two lakh crore in the next 10 years.

"Arunachal Pradesh is estimated to receive annual revenues of Rs. 4,525 crores from the sale of free power from HEPs from 2035 onwards."

Siang project

The Cabinet also decided to engage in dialogue with those agitating against the Siang multi-purpose project on the Siang river.

The Centre considers the Siang project as significant to tackle possible adverse impact from the world's biggest dam being constructed by China on the upper reaches of the river in Tibet.

"The Cabinet directed the department of urban development for constitution of a New Yingkiong Development Authority and a New Geku Development Authority to enable building future-ready alternate towns." It also plans a "necklace road" along the Siang river above the likely submergence area on both banks of the river.

Protests to continue

Reacting to the Cabinet decisions, Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum (SIFF) demanded scrapping of the Siang project, withdrawal of central forces from Siang and Upper Siang and rollback of the cabinet decisions.

"Non fulfilment of our demands will cause more public unrest, and we shall resort to further democratic protests," the forum said on Sunday.

The forum claims that big dams would cause havoc during the Monsoon, mainly in the downstream areas and dry up the rivers during winter.

The forum has been agitating against a survey for the proposed Siang project.