Arunachal’s Parong villagers join growing support for Siang Upper Multipurpose Project

Support for the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) gained further traction on Sept 20 , with Parong village becoming the latest community to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Arunachal Pradesh government for preparation of the project’s Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR).

The agreement was formalized in Itanagar, the state capital, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ojing Tasing, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta, and other senior state officials.

Deputy Chief Minister Mein described the development as “a significant step forward,” noting that 67 of the 108 households in Parong had endorsed the MoU.

“With over 62 percent households extending their support, the people of Parong have shown their commitment to progress,” he said at the signing ceremony.

He later wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Parong and the Adi community for their progressive spirit and unwavering support for the development of our state and nation.”

Parong residents expressed optimism about the project. “We are hopeful that by supporting the MoU for PFR, our village will see real progress,” said villager Taram Jerang.

Another resident, Tamat Pabin, added, “This is a step toward a brighter future for Siang and Arunachal Pradesh.”

Minister Ojing Tasing called the MoU a “historic milestone,” saying the project could generate clean energy, create jobs, and improve infrastructure while balancing cultural preservation with modern development. “With Parong’s endorsement, the momentum behind SUMP continues to grow,” he posted on X.

Declared a National Project in 2008, the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project is expected to play a key role in India’s water and energy security. Before Parong, four other villages — Pangkang, Riga, Riew and Begging — had signed similar MoUs for the PFR process.

Officials said these agreements highlight increasing unity among Siang communities and strengthen the social foundation for the project’s eventual implementation.