KAZIRANGA: Facing opposition from anti-mega dam activists, Arunachal Pradesh water transport minister Ojing Appraisal On Friday he defended the state’s decision to build an 11,000 MW hydroelectric project on the Siang River. Tasing said this dam, the largest in northeast India, could serve as a buffer if China releases excess water from its planned 60,000 MW dam, the world’s largest, located at Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet.
Tasing told TOI that while power generation is a secondary consideration, the primary objectives are to safeguard the northeast from possible water-related threats from China and ensure India’s national security. He suggested that certain NGOs were encouraging local villagers to resist the Siang Dam project.
“If we don’t build our dam, what will be the impact on us if China uses its dam as a ‘hydraulic bomb’ against India?” He claimed that China’s planned project would affect regions stretching as far as Bengal, not just communities along the Siang River in Arunachal.
He explained that the Siang Dam reservoir in Parong would contain nine billion cubic meters of water, potentially protecting northeastern states from China’s excessive water release. The minister prioritized national security over power generation and agriculture.
Regarding the future of the project, Tasing mentioned the upcoming completion of the project final report (PFR). He claimed that politically motivated NGOs were training social workers to oppose the dam project.