Komkar locals support pre-feasibility studies of Arunachal’s Siang project

Itanagar: In a significant step towards strengthening national water security and regional development, the people of Komkar village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district on Tuesday signed an MoU with the state govt, extending their support for the preparation of the pre-feasibility report (PFR) of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). The project was declared of national importance by the Centre in 2008.

The MoU was signed in the presence of CM Pema Khandu (virtually), panchayati raj and rural development minister Ojing Tasing, Mariyang-Geku MLA Oni Panyang, chief secretary Manish Kumar Gupta, and senior govt officials, according to an official statement.

Representatives from 245 out of 257 households — over 95% of Komkar village — formally endorsed the agreement, underscoring strong community backing for the PFR studies.

The development marks a milestone in advancing the SUMP, reinforcing a model of informed consent, sustained dialogue, and community participation, while balancing developmental aspirations with environmental and social sensitivities.

Village representatives reiterated their commitment to national interest and the long-term safety and prosperity of the Siang belt and the Adi community.

They appreciated the state govt’s extensive consultations and awareness-building initiatives, particularly on the strategic, ecological, and water-security dimensions of the project.

In his address, CM Khandu thanked the people of Komkar for becoming the first village in Upper Siang district to extend formal support for PFR studies, following similar agreements by four villages in Siang district earlier. He clarified that the current agreement is limited strictly to the preparation of the PFR and assured that no construction decision would be taken without exhaustive consultations and consent of all project affected families (PAFs).Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy New Year wishes, messages, and quotes !