States » EastPosted at: Oct 14 2026 9:37PM


Arunachal BJP says SUMP goes beyond power generation, cites strategic concerns

Itanagar, Oct 14 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Arunachal Pradesh, on Wednesday said the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) should be viewed in the context of national security, water resource management and the changing strategic situation in the region, asserting that preliminary feasibility studies should not be mistaken for a decision to begin construction.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office here, Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak and Information and Public Relations Minister Nyato Dukam defended the project’s significance and responded to criticism by Congress leaders over SUMP and other hydropower projects in the state.
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 had assumed greater strategic relevance amid reports of a proposed large hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet, under Chinese control.
Referring to reports about the proposed Chinese project, Tagak said developments upstream of the Brahmaputra highlighted the need for India to strengthen its preparedness in water resource management and strategic infrastructure.
He maintained that SUMP should not be viewed solely as a power generation initiative, but also in terms of its potential implications for the long-term interests of Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast.
The MP urged Congress leaders to examine the project’s historical background and their party’s role in its development before making public statements.
He said discussions on such projects should be based on facts and informed dialogue rather than allegations that could create confusion among the public.
Tagak also expressed concern that preliminary procedures, including the preparation of a Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR), were facing obstacles despite the availability of technical expertise and national agencies capable of undertaking the necessary assessments.
He clarified that the PFR stage involves preliminary examination of a project’s feasibility and the suitability of potential locations.
A project of this scale, he said, would require multiple assessments and approvals before construction could begin.
Highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s geographical location and its proximity to the international border, Tagak stressed the importance of scientific planning and appropriate infrastructure for managing Himalayan river systems.
He also cited the role of water infrastructure in regulating river flows and mitigating flood risks.
Dukam said hydropower development could support the state’s economic growth through infrastructure expansion, employment generation and local development, while contributing to national energy security.
The BJP said any discussion on SUMP must also take into account environmental safeguards, technical assessments and public consultation.
It appealed to political parties and other stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue on the project’s implications for the state and the country.
The party maintained that preliminary feasibility studies were an important step in evaluating the project and should not be equated with an immediate decision to proceed with construction.
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Tags: #Arunachal BJP says SUMP goes beyond power generation# cites strategic concerns
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