- By Vaidika Thapa
- Fri, 19 Jun 2026 07:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
China has started building a huge hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) river in Tibet, very close to the Indian border. In response, India is planning the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh. The matter is significant because the same river flows into India and supports the livelihoods of millions of people in the Northeast region.
How India plans to counter?
China’s project, known as the Medog or Motuo Hydropower Station is expected to have a capacity of around 60,000 MW, making it much larger than most global hydropower projects. Compared to this, India is pushing forward the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang and Siang districts. The project is planned as an 11,000 MW hydroelectric and flood-control dam.
The project is being developed by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and is expected to generate around 47 billion units of electricity annually, with an estimated cost of about USD 13 billion (around Rs 1.5 lakh crore). It is still in the early pre-feasibility stage, with no major construction started yet.
Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, Director (Projects), NHPC visited NHPC Siang Basin Projects Office, Pasighat, on 18.06.2026. During the visit, Head of Project apprised him on the status of project activities and key issues related to the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. Director… pic.twitter.com/XNLpbB0FO4
— NHPC Limited (@nhpcltd) June 18, 2026
How will SUMP project benefit India?
The Yarlung Tsangpo river enters India as the Siang and later becomes the Brahmaputra, which is a lifeline for Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Experts warn that large upstream dams could change water flow, damage ecosystems, harm agriculture, and increase the risk of unpredictable flooding downstream in India. Therefore, the SUMP is considered important as it will help India establish water rights and reduce risks from upstream flow control.
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Beyond electricity generation, SUMP is reportedly designed to control seasonal flooding and reduce erosion in downstream areas of the Brahmaputra basin. The project is seen as important for water security, infrastructure development, job creation, and improving hydropower capacity in the northeast.
Moreover, the Indian government has also emphasised that it is closely monitoring all activities related to China’s hydropower projects on the Brahmaputra basin. India has also raised concerns with China over transparency and data sharing on transboundary rivers. Officials say India will take necessary steps to protect lives and livelihoods in downstream regions.