The Government of India and the Arunachal Pradesh government on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to roll out a special development package for the Siang region. The announcement was made as part of preparatory activity for the proposed Upper Siang Multipurpose Storage Project (SUMP), which is expected to be a transformative infrastructure endeavour for the frontier state.
The agreement was formalized in Itanagar in the presence of top officials including Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta; State Coordination, Planning and Investment Commissioner Ankur Garg; Secretary V. L. Kantha Rao from the Union Water Resources Ministry; Union Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal; and S. K. Sinha, Commissioner (Budget & Buildings) under the Union Ministry.
Under the package, multiple interventions have been identified for Siang and Upper Siang districts—these include generation of livelihood opportunities, development of new infrastructure, and upgradation of existing facilities. Key sectors that will receive special focus are animal husbandry, piggery, fisheries, poultry farming, horticulture, handloom, bamboo crafts, eco-tourism, and beekeeping.
A significant component of the package also includes setting up common facility centres, crafts resource centres, marketing and sourcing hubs, urban haats, emporia, and raw material depots to give artisans and local producers better market access. Distinct branding and identity for local textiles and bamboo-based products are also planned to enable wider reach for local products.
Officials emphasized that the package is designed not just for short-term improvement but for long-term socio-economic upliftment of communities. The scheme is expected to strengthen livelihood resilience, improve quality of life, and reinforce the socio-economic fabric of the region.
The MoU is being seen as a precursor to the Upper Siang Multipurpose Project (SUMP), which aims to generate clean energy, ensure water security, and moderate flood risks in the Brahmaputra basin. Planning for SUMP is still in its early phases, and this development package is to lay the groundwork for local readiness.
The Centre’s move comes at a time when infrastructure and livelihood support are urgently needed in border and remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh. Authorities believe that the package will help local communities better prepare to harness the benefits of larger projects while mitigating environmental and social impacts.
Implementation will involve both Centre and state agencies, with monitoring, phased execution, and focus on ensuring sustainable benefits. With SUMP looming, officials say these early interventions will play a key role in integrating local needs with large-scale infrastructure planning.
