China’s mega dam project on Brahmaputra kicks off, raises concerns in India

 

 

 

 

(IANS) CHINA on Saturday officially began construction on a mega dam project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo - upper reaches of the Brahmaputra - River in Tibet, raising major concerns in the downstream countries, including India and Bangladesh. Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attended the groundbreaking ceremony and announced the official start of the Yarlung Zangbo River Lower Reaches Hydropower Project in the Tibet region. Responsible persons from relevant departments of the central and state organs, relevant central enterprises, members of the expert advisory committee for the construction of the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River hydropower project, project research, testing and construction units, and local people’s representatives attended the groundbreaking ceremony, Xinhua news agency reported.

 

“The project mainly adopts the development method of straightening the bends and diverting water through tunnels, and builds five cascade power stations with a total investment of about 1.2 trillion yuan (about 167.8 billion US dollars) The power of the project is mainly transmitted and consumed, while taking into account the local self-use needs of Tibet,” the state-owned press agency mentioned.

 

While the Chinese government insists that the project will primarily deliver electricity for external consumption while also addressing local demand in Xizang, its construction could severely harm the interests of downstream states of the Brahmaputra. India has been carefully monitoring all developments relating to the Brahmaputra river, including plans by China to develop hydropower projects, and taken necessary measures to protect its interests, including preventive and corrective measures to safeguard life and livelihood of Indian citizens residing in downstream areas. Following the announcement by China of the mega dam project, New Delhi had registered its concerns with the Chinese side on December 30 last year, including on “the need for transparency and consultation” with downstream countries. The issue was also raised during the visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Beijing on January 26-27.