Arunachal Pradesh has decided not to fast-track the pre-feasibility study for the proposed mega hydropower project on the Siang River, even as attention grows around China’s Medog project. The state government is signalling that it wants a measured approach rather than a hurried one on a project with both regional and national significance.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu has indicated that local concerns will be taken up before any rapid movement on the study. That position suggests the government is trying to balance strategic considerations with sensitivities on the ground, especially in a state where large infrastructure plans can draw strong public interest and debate.
The Siang project is being viewed as important beyond Arunachal Pradesh because of its potential role in India’s broader energy security planning. At the same time, the reference to China’s Medog project adds a strategic dimension to the discussion, making the proposed dam part of a wider conversation about river management, power generation and border-region infrastructure.
For now, the emphasis remains on caution and consultation rather than speed. The state’s stance shows that while the Siang hydropower proposal carries major strategic weight, Arunachal Pradesh does not want to move ahead on the study without first addressing concerns linked to the project.
