Arunachal Youth wings protest against construction of mega dams over Siang river

A peaceful rally was carried out at Dite-Dime in Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh today against the proposed Mega Dam over Ane (Mother) Siang in Siang and Upper Siang Districts

As the region waits anxiously for the commissioning of the highly ambitious Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Power Project constructed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) at Gerukamukh in Arunachal Pradesh, the people have once again raised their voice against the construction of mega dams in the frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh.

In this regard, a peaceful rally was carried out at Dite-Dime in Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh today by several youth wings against the proposed Mega Dam over Ane (Mother) Siang in Siang and Upper Siang Districts.

The rally witnessed the massive participation of hundreds of villagers.

The rally was organized by All Adi Welfare Society (AAWS), Youth Wing (Apex), AAWS Youth Wing Upper Siang District Unit, and AAWS YW Siang District Unit in collaboration with All Adi Welfare Society Upper Siang District Unit, All Komkar Students’ Union, All Komkar Youth Association, All Komkar Women Welfare Society, Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum, Geku-Katan Intellectual Youth Forum, Geku Students’ Union, and AdiSU Siang District Unit.

During the protest rally, people shouted slogans against the construction of mega dams in Arunachal Pradesh, stating that it will hugely affect the ecology of the entire Siang river system and also the state.

The protestors also stated that the project would affect thousands of people in the downstream areas.

The resolutions adopted during the rally are:
-No mega dams over Siang river
-No compensation
-No displacement
-No survey for the pre-feasibility report (PFR)
-Repeal Forest (Conservation Amendment Act, 2023)
-Scrapping and cancellation of MoUs signed between the Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh and power companies in the year 2013
-Roll back of Resolution No. 7 of ABK (Adi Baane Kebang)
-Introduction of the Renewable Energy Partnership (REP) Model

The rally was also attended by former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Gegong Apang, ex-Ministers Tapang Taloh and T. Tatak, ex-MLA Olom Panyang among others.

The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project will generate approximately 7,500 million kilowatt-hours of power annually in a 90%-dependable year.

The hydroelectric project lies partly in Assam and partly in Arunachal Pradesh.The dam is located in the Dhemaji district of Assam, 2.3km away from Gerukamukh, while the powerhouse is located in the Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh.

NHPC Limited commenced construction work on the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project in January 2005 after obtaining forest clearance on October 12, 2004.

However, due to agitations and protests by local stakeholders, the project construction work was stalled from December 2011 to October 2019.

The project’s construction resumed on October 15, 2019, after clearance by the National Green Tribunal.

Also Read: Big boost to power in NE: 2 units of 2000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Project to be operational from June

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