Why in the News
According to The Hindu's report of 26 October 2026, arson, vandalism and clashes with the police took place during a 12-hour shutdown in the Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. After this, the public hearing on the proposed 1,605 MW Subansiri Upper hydroelectric project (Menga dam) was cancelled. The shutdown call was given by several student and community organisations led by the All Tagin Students' Union (ATSU). According to the report, an alleged attempt to detain ATSU president Tadak Pakba at night was one reason. This project is separate from the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), against which a protest was held in Pasighat this same week.
Key Facts
- The incident (according to The Hindu): The violence took place mostly at the district headquarters, Daporijo. According to the report, a social media video shows a private vehicle burning and a police vehicle damaged. Protesters also allegedly broke or burnt equipment and survey instruments of an office linked to NHPC. A district official gave this information on condition of anonymity.
- Demands (according to the report): The protesters demanded withdrawal of the project, citing environmental impact, livelihoods, indigenous rights and the interests of affected communities. They also sought an explanation from the district administration and police on the alleged attempt to detain Pakba.
- The project (Executive Summary of the draft EIA, September 2025, the developer's report): Proposed installed capacity 1,605 MW. It is a storage project, whose purposes are stated to be power generation and flood control. The height of the dam from the deepest foundation level is 237 metres and the total storage at FRL is proposed at 1,755 MCM. The total land requirement is estimated at 2,733 hectares, all of which is unclassed state forest land. The submergence area at MWL (EL 470 m) is stated to be 2,417.47 hectares.
- Process (according to the same document): In a letter of 22 December 2021, the Ministry of Power identified the project for development by NHPC. The Arunachal government approved the allotment on 21 July 2023 and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with NHPC on 12 August 2023. It is on a build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis for a lease of 40 years from the date of commercial operation. The Environment Ministry (MoEF&CC) gave scoping clearance (ToR) on 7 September 2024.
Remember for Prelims
- The Subansiri Upper (Menga) project is proposed in the Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal. It is separate from the Siang Upper project (11,200 MW).
- For proposed projects, a public hearing is part of the process under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. Here the public hearing has been cancelled; its further effect is not in these sources.
- The above project figures are proposed and draft-level, not of a dam that has been built.
Analysis
- Development and local rights: The project argues for power and flood control, while the protesters raise questions of the environment, livelihoods and indigenous rights. According to the draft EIA, all the land needed is forest land, so the importance of the public hearing and consent process increases. This conclusion is analysis.
- Two protests at once, but separate projects: According to The Hindu, this is the second anti-dam agitation in 48 hours. The argument for Siang is different: the Centre considers it necessary as a response to the project being built on China's Yarlung Tsangpo (according to the report).
- Limits: The report has no details of casualties, arrests, the date of a new public hearing or the status of the project's environmental clearance. So these things are not in this article.
Related article: Our article on the Siang Upper project (SUMP) (Hindi article)
Mains Practice Question
"What are the challenges in balancing development, the environment and indigenous rights in the face of proposals for big dams in the North-East? Discuss in the context of the protests against the Subansiri Upper and Siang Upper projects." (GS-I/III, 250 words)
Answer Outline
Introduction: Mention the shutdown of 26 October 2026, the cancellation of the public hearing and the protests against two separate proposed projects.
Main Body: Write the aims of the projects (power, flood control, the strategic argument in Siang), the concerns of affected communities (forest land, submergence area, livelihoods, indigenous rights), and the process (EIA, public hearing, consent). Write the challenges and suggestions as analysis.
Conclusion: Say that without trust-building, a transparent public hearing and participation of affected communities, such projects will not be sustainable.
Sources and Limitations
- The Hindu, 26 October 2026 (read): Violence marks shutdown against another proposed dam in Arunachal Pradesh
- Draft EIA, Executive Summary, Subansiri Upper HEP (1605 MW), September 2025, on the website of the Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (read): Executive Summary (PDF)
- Limitations: The incident details are The Hindu's, and the parts based on an unnamed district official and social media video are its statements. The project figures are from the developer's draft report, not final approved figures. The figures may change.
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