Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lieutenant General K.T. Parnaik (Retd.) and Chief Minister Pema Khandu met on Tuesday, 6 October 2026 at Lok Bhavan, Itanagar, to review the state's key developmental priorities — centring on strategic infrastructure, inclusive growth, and the long-term welfare of the state's people.

Siang Upper Multipurpose Project Takes Centre Stage

Chief Minister Khandu briefed the Governor on several ongoing flagship initiatives, with particular emphasis on the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). The mega hydropower scheme, with a projected generation capacity of 11,200 MW and an estimated outlay of ₹1.5 lakh crore, is described as a project of national strategic importance.

According to Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, SUMP is not just a priority for Arunachal Pradesh but for the country as a whole. 'The SUMP is expected to significantly transform the development landscape of Siang district, whose name derives from the mighty Brahmaputra river, locally known in Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang river,' Mein said. The project is designed to address water security, energy generation, flood moderation, and regional development simultaneously.

Public Outreach on Pre-Feasibility Report

Khandu also updated Governor Parnaik on an extensive public consultation exercise undertaken by the state government. The outreach was aimed at raising awareness about — and gathering community feedback on — the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) for SUMP. The consultations spanned communities and stakeholders across the Siang region, directly engaging those most likely to be affected by the project.

The Governor commended this approach, stating that such community engagement is vital for building public confidence, addressing concerns transparently, and ensuring that citizens remain informed participants in the development process. He noted that meaningful dialogue strengthens democratic decision-making and helps forge a shared understanding of both the opportunities and challenges that accompany large infrastructure projects.

PMAY-U Awards Recognised

Separately, the Governor also acknowledged the state government's recent performance under urban housing programmes. Arunachal Pradesh secured two Best Performing State Awards for its achievements under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY-U) and PMAY-U 2.0 during the World Habitat Day 2026 celebrations organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Governor Parnaik said the awards reflect the state's commitment to improving the quality of life of urban residents and ensuring that development benefits reach every eligible citizen — a significant recognition for one of India's smaller and more remote northeastern states.

Strategic and National Significance

This comes amid growing national focus on the Northeast as a frontier for energy security and strategic infrastructure. SUMP, if executed, would rank among the largest hydropower projects ever built in India, and its location on the upper stretches of the Brahmaputra carries geopolitical weight given India's longstanding water-sharing concerns with downstream nations. The broad bipartisan support and community consultation process signal that the state government is seeking to pre-empt opposition before formal approvals are sought.

With the PFR stage underway and public consultations progressing, the project's trajectory over the next 12 to 18 months will be closely watched by both energy policymakers and environmental stakeholders.