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Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (11,000 MW) Stalled by Indigenous Protests Over Displacement – Geopolitical & Development Challenge

InfrastructureEnvironmentPolityGeopoliticsCORE
Target:UPSCMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
30 Jun 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:11,000–11,200 MW₹1,13,000 crore47 billion kWh9 billion cubic meters280–300 metres60,000 MW (China's super dam)
Bodies:NHPCSiang Indigenous Farmer’s Forum (SIFF)Adi Banne Kebang (ABK)Arunachal Pradesh GovernmentGovernment of India
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What This Article Covers

1.India plans a massive 11,000 MW storage dam on Siang River to counter China's upstream dam-building, but local indigenous communities (Adi, Galo) are protesting due to trust deficit and fears of displacement.

2.The ₹1,13,000 crore Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) will create a 9 billion cubic meter reservoir to secure water rights and absorb sudden flood surges from China.

3.Opposition groups (SIFF, ABK) estimate 27-300 villages could be submerged; pre-feasibility studies blocked. Proponents cite Bhutan's success with dams and the Sardar Sarovar precedent.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

India’s largest planned dam – the 11,000 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) – is stalled due to deep mistrust among Adi and Galo tribes who fear displacement without fair compensation. The project is strategically vital to counter China’s upstream 60,000 MW super dam. The government must provide legally binding resettlement guarantees and transparent dialogue to break the impasse.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Installed Capacity11,000–11,200 MW
Investment₹1,13,000 crore
Annual Electricity Generation47 billion kWh
Reservoir Volume9 billion cubic meters
Dam Height280–300 metres
LocationNear Geku, Upper Siang, Arunachal Pradesh
Implementing AgencyNHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation)
China's Counterpart60,000 MW super dam in Medog County, Tibet
Key Opposition GroupsSiang Indigenous Farmer’s Forum (SIFF), Adi Banne Kebang (ABK)
Chief Proponent in ArticleBuddhist monk from Tawang Monastery (anonymous)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Installed Capacity: 11,000–11,200 MW
  • ›Investment: ₹1,13,000 crore
  • ›Target this Data: 11,000–11,200 MW capacity, ₹1,13,000 crore investment, 9 billion m³ reservoir, 47 billion kWh annual generation
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation) – implementing agency
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Prior-use rights under international transboundary water law
  • ›Target this Organization: Siang Indigenous Farmer’s Forum (SIFF) and Adi Banne Kebang (ABK) – leading opposition groups

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which public sector undertaking (PSU) is the implementing agency for the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) as mentioned in the article?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP):

1. The SUMP will have an installed capacity of approximately 11,000 MW and is designed primarily for power generation with flood mitigation as a secondary benefit.

2. The Siang Indigenous Farmer’s Forum (SIFF) and Adi Banne Kebang (ABK) are the primary organisations leading the local resistance against the dam.

3. The article mentions that the reservoir volume of the dam is 9 billion cubic meters, which will help establish prior-use rights under international water law.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what is the estimated annual electricity generation capacity of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP)?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary strategic objective of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project as emphasised in the article?

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