Khandu wants Subansiri Lower reservoir turned into a tourism hub

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has renewed his push to turn the reservoir of the 2,000-MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHEP) into a major tourist destination, pitching boat cruises, water sports and eco-tourism on the long stretch of water created by the dam.

In a post on X on Tuesday, November 10, Khandu described the reservoir as offering close to 45 km of backwaters spread over roughly 40 sq km, set against Himalayan hills. He listed boating, luxury yacht cruises, floating hospitality, adventure activities and eco-tourism among the possibilities, according to a PTI report carried by Echo of Arunachal and reports by India Today NE.

Meeting with MLA and experts

The Chief Minister discussed the idea on the same day with Raga MLA Rotom Tebin, an adviser in the state's hydropower development set-up, and with specialists in tourism and adventure-destination planning. The talks focused on the reservoir's potential for "hydro-tourism" and how the water body could be developed into an attraction.

Khandu also pointed to the river's local cultural heritage and its golden mahseer habitat, and said the area's ecology must be protected while new sources of income are explored. The golden mahseer is a large freshwater game fish found in Himalayan rivers and is considered threatened.

Plan builds on earlier proposal

The idea is not new. The state government has already proposed developing the SLHEP pondage as a "mountain-cum-river" tourism destination that combines eco-tourism, adventure sports, cultural experiences and local livelihoods.

On March 28 this year, Khandu travelled about 45 km up the Subansiri by high-speed boat, from the dam site at Dollungmukh to the Sibe-Rite confluence in Kamle district, along with Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Deputy Speaker Kardo Nyigyor, Ering and senior officials.

Officials said the state has sought the Prime Minister's support and technical help from several Union ministries, including Tourism, Power, Jal Shakti, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).

What the proposal envisages

According to the proposal, the project would include eco-friendly infrastructure, river cruises, water sports, adventure and heritage tourism, inland fisheries and hospitality services. The planners have cited destinations such as Phewa Lake in Nepal, Lake Como in Italy and Milford Sound in New Zealand as models.

The government estimates the initiative could create more than 2,500 jobs, mainly for local youth, and draw over 1.5 lakh tourists a year in the medium term. A detailed project report (DPR) is planned in the first phase, with local communities expected to have a central role in planning and running it.

Officials said the aim is to spread the benefits of the hydropower project beyond electricity, into tourism, transport, fisheries and allied sectors. No budget or timeline for the DPR has been announced.

About the project

The Subansiri Lower project, built by NHPC on the Subansiri river along the Arunachal-Assam border near Gerukamukh, is the country's largest hydropower project by installed capacity. Its units have been commissioned in phases.