Itanagar, Dec 31: Komkar village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government for preparing the pre-feasibility report (PFR) of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). The project, declared of national importance by the Centre in 2008, aims at hydropower generation, flood moderation, and maintaining ecological flow in the Siang basin.

The agreement secured consent from 245 out of 257 households in the village, reflecting over 95% local support for the PFR studies, according to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). The MoU was signed virtually in the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ojing Tasing, Mariyang-Geku MLA Oni Panyang, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta, and other senior officials.

Village representatives highlighted their commitment to national interests, long-term safety, and the prosperity of the Siang belt and Adi community. They welcomed the government’s consultations on the project’s strategic, ecological, and water-security benefits.

Chief Minister Khandu thanked Komkar for being the first village in Upper Siang to formally support the PFR process, following similar MoUs by four villages in neighboring Siang district. He clarified that the agreement pertains only to the preparation of the PFR and that no construction decisions will be taken without extensive consultations and consent from all affected families. Khandu also noted hydrological risks, including potential upstream diversion of Siang River water, underlining SUMP’s role in safeguarding ecological flow and water security.

The Chief Minister also acknowledged the Centre’s Rs 350 crore special development package for Siang and Upper Siang districts, focusing on education, healthcare, livelihoods, and infrastructure. He urged Komkar to form a village development committee to prioritize projects under the package.

Minister Tasing highlighted that over a year of household discussions preceded the MoU and said the project is important for protecting downstream areas and ensuring stability for Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Chief Secretary Gupta praised the villagers’ unity, while MLA Panyang described it as a model of participatory decision-making.

Officials said the agreements indicate growing consensus through dialogue, with more Upper Siang villages expected to follow. Future steps will depend on PFR outcomes, transparency, and community consent, emphasizing SUMP’s benefits for water security, disaster mitigation, and regional stability.