Raise mega dam project concerns with China: Ex-Arunachal CM Nabam Tuki to Centre

New Delhi: Former chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Nabam Tuki, on Thursday said the Centre should take up with China the concern over the latter's move to build a mega hydel project dam on Yarlung Tsangpo in the Tibet region close to the border of the state.

"The Government of India, which is fully aware of China's move to construct a mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, should take up with China our concerns about the proposal and must ensure they are properly addressed," Tuki told ET.

Tuki, who is president of Pradesh Congress Committee, said, "It is also important that the central government take effective steps to ensure that India's critical interests, both territorial and water-sharing, are not adversely affected by the Chinese move. Equally, the central government should take concrete steps to ensure safety and other interests of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, especially those living in the border districts of the state, are not affected by China's move."


On the long-pending proposal of India building a hydel project dam on the Siang river of Arunachal Pradesh as a strategic counter to protect the lower riparian interests, he said: "Arunachal Pradesh has some hydel projects but one proposal that is pending for long is regarding construction of hydroelectric project on the Siang river. Many people, especially those living close to the proposed site in the border districts, fear such a project can submerge their lands and even districts. There are also ecological concerns. Therefore, it is for the Centre to engage the people of Arunachal Pradesh, especially those living in the border districts, to win their support for the project by taking confidence-building measures, including economic packages. It is critical to gain the support of the local people before any decision on moving ahead with the construction of the project," Tuki said.

Techi Tagi Tara, PCC working president, said the state Congress leadership has urged the state's BJP government, led by chief minister Pema Khandu, to take up with the Centre the concerns of the people of Arunachal.