Dibrugarh: Support for the pre-feasibility survey of the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh is gathering momentum, with more residents of Likor village extending consent for the exercise.
On Friday, 36 additional households formally backed the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) activities, taking the total number of supporting households in the village to 71.
Officials said 28 families had earlier signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on March 19, followed by seven more on March 24, indicating a steady rise in local endorsement of the preliminary survey.
Representatives of the consenting families, led by Ombeng Danggen and members of the Project Affected Families (PAFs), submitted the latest list to the Deputy Commissioner of Upper Siang, Talo Jerang, at Yingkiong. The submission was made in the presence of Zilla Parishad Chairperson Api Kombo and State Nodal Officer (SUMP) Atek Miyu, among others.
During the interaction, the Deputy Commissioner addressed concerns raised by villagers and explained the scope and process of the PFR survey, seeking to clarify apprehensions among affected families.
The PFR for the proposed 11,000 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project is intended to assess technical feasibility, environmental implications and potential submergence areas. Officials described it as a preliminary, non-intrusive step that would guide further planning and decision-making for the mega hydropower project, which is expected to have significant economic implications for the region.