KAZIRANGA: In the face of opposition from anti-mega dam activists, Arunachal Pradesh water transport minister Ojing Tasing on Friday defended the state’s decision to build an 11,000 MW hydroelectric project on the Siang river. Tasing said this dam – largest in North-East India – could serve as a protection if China releases excess water from its planned 60,000 MW dam, the world’s largest, situated on the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet.
Tasing told TOI that while power generation is a secondary consideration, the primary objectives are safeguarding the North-East from China’s potential water-related threats and ensuring India’s national security. He suggested that certain NGOs were encouraging local villagers to resist the Siang dam project.
“If we don’t construct our dam, what will be the impact on us if China uses its dam as a ‘hydro bomb’ on India?” He claimed China’s planned project would affect regions extending to Bengal, not just communities along the Siang river in Arunachal.
He explained that the Siang dam’s reservoir at Parong would hold nine billion cubic metres of water, potentially protecting northeastern states from excess water release from China. The minister prioritised national security over power generation and agriculture.
Regarding the project’s future, Tasing mentioned the upcoming finalisation of the project final report (PFR). He claimed that politically motivated NGOs were training social workers to oppose the dam project.
