Residents of Komkar village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district have formally extended their support to the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). On December 30, the villagers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government to allow preparation of the project’s Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR). The agreement was signed with the consent of 245 out of 257 households in the village. This means more than 95 per cent of families agreed to allow PFR-related studies for the project, which was declared a project of national importance by the Government of India in 2008. The MoU signing was attended virtually by Chief Minister Pema Khandu. Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ojing Tasing, Mariyang-Geku MLA Oni Panyang, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta and senior officials were also associated with the event. Officials said the development marks an important step in moving the project discussion forward. They described it as an example of informed decision-making and cooperation between the state and local communities.
Village representatives said the decision was taken keeping in mind national interest, long-term water security and the well-being of the Siang belt and the Adi community. They also appreciated the state government for holding regular meetings and awareness programmes before the agreement. Chief Minister Pema Khandu thanked the villagers of Komkar for becoming the first village in Upper Siang district to formally support the PFR process. He said four villages in neighbouring Siang district had earlier signed similar MoUs. Khandu also clarified that the present agreement is only for preparing the Pre-Feasibility Report. He assured that no construction activity will begin without detailed consultations and the consent of all project-affected families. The Chief Minister also raised concerns about changing hydrological conditions in the Siang river, including the risk of reduced or diverted river flow in future. He said a scientific study was necessary to protect ecological balance and water security in the region. Khandu further thanked the Union government for approving a ₹350-crore Special Development Package for Upper Siang and Siang districts.
The package will support education, healthcare, livelihood and infrastructure. He also requested the people of Komkar to form a Village Development Committee to identify priority projects. Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta praised the unity shown by the villagers and said Komkar’s decision would contribute to both regional and national development. MLA Oni Panyang said the move reflected maturity and collective wisdom and could become an example of participatory decision-making for the whole district. Minister Ojing Tasing said the signing of the MoU was the result of more than a year of discussions with every household in the village. He said the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project has strategic importance for Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, especially in terms of reducing downstream risks and ensuring long-term stability. He also appreciated the villagers for keeping state and national interest in mind while taking the decision.
