📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Vice President Office, Government of India
Politics
Arunachal CM Pema Khandu says Siang mega‑dam won’t proceed without public consent
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 31 Oct 2026, 08:32 PM
👁 21
Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced that the Siang mega‑dam project will be halted until the local population is consulted, following growing protests in Arunachal Pradesh.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu told reporters that the state government will not advance the controversial Siang mega‑dam without first securing the support of the affected communities. The statement came after a series of demonstrations by residents, environmental groups and local activists who fear displacement and ecological damage.
Khandu emphasized that the government is committed to a transparent consultation process and will pause all construction activities until a clear consensus is reached. He urged protestors to engage in dialogue rather than resort to blockades that disrupt daily life.
The Siang project, envisioned as a multi‑billion‑rupee hydroelectric scheme on the Brahmaputra tributary, has been under scrutiny for its potential impact on river flow, biodiversity and tribal livelihoods. State officials have said the dam could generate significant power for the region, but opposition groups argue that the social and environmental costs outweigh the benefits.
While the government has not set a timeline for resuming work, Khandu assured that any future decision will be based on thorough public hearings and environmental clearances. The stance reflects a broader trend of Indian states seeking community consent for large infrastructure projects amid rising civil society activism.
Khandu emphasized that the government is committed to a transparent consultation process and will pause all construction activities until a clear consensus is reached. He urged protestors to engage in dialogue rather than resort to blockades that disrupt daily life.
The Siang project, envisioned as a multi‑billion‑rupee hydroelectric scheme on the Brahmaputra tributary, has been under scrutiny for its potential impact on river flow, biodiversity and tribal livelihoods. State officials have said the dam could generate significant power for the region, but opposition groups argue that the social and environmental costs outweigh the benefits.
While the government has not set a timeline for resuming work, Khandu assured that any future decision will be based on thorough public hearings and environmental clearances. The stance reflects a broader trend of Indian states seeking community consent for large infrastructure projects amid rising civil society activism.