China has started building a huge dam on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet, bordering India, at a cost of $ 167.8 billion. It is one of the world’s largest infrastructure projects. Chinese Prime Minister Lee Kiang started this work by worshiping Bhoomi in Ningchi city. This dam is becoming a place where the Brahmaputra River, called Yarlung Jangbo in Tibet, takes a sharp turn before flowing in Arunachal Pradesh and then in Bangladesh.
The main points of this project
According to China’s government media, five major hydroelectric stations will be built in this dam project. They will cost about 1.2 trillion yuan (about 167.8 billion $ 16) in total. This project will generate more than 300 billion kWh-hour electricity every year after completion. It will be so much electricity that can illuminate more than 30 million people. In this context, it will become the largest dam in the world, which will also overtake China’s Three Gorges Dam. The dam will be built in a huge valley of the Himalayas.
The matter of concern for India and Bangladesh
Concerns have increased in both India and Bangladesh countries over the location of this dam and its massive scale. This is because both countries are very dependent on the Brahmaputra River for their farming, drinking water and environment.
Water flow blockage: The biggest concern is that China can control the flow of river water from this dam, which can lead to lack of water in India and Bangladesh.
Nutrient silt stop: The river brings with it fertile soil and nutrients, which are necessary for farming. This silt can be stopped by the construction of a dam, which will affect agriculture.
Ecological disadvantage: The dam is expected to cause natural flow of the river and damage to the ecosystem.
Strategic benefits: India is also afraid that in a situation like China, this dam may use this dam to flood the border areas.
It is worth noting that India is also building a dam on Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh.
What is the conversation happening?
India and China have formed Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) in 2006 to negotiate issues related to border rivers. Under this, China gives India hydrological information related to the Brahmaputra and Sutlej rivers during the flood season. On December 18 last year, a conversation on border issues between India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the exchange of data from across the border.
Earthquake risk and China’s response
This dam is being built in an area where there is a high risk of earthquake, as it is located on the border of tectonic plates. The Tibetan plateau is also called the “roof of the world” and there are often earthquakes coming here. However, China tried to address these concerns in an official statement in December last year. He had said that this dam project is safe and preference environmental protection. China also stated that with the help of extensive geological investigations and new technology, the entire basis for making the project safe and high quality has been prepared. He also said that Brahmaputra flows through the Tibetan plateau and forms the deepest valley on earth. This dam will be built in one of the most rainy areas.