China is building the world’s most powerful hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet region. Beijing says that it only wants to increase the energy supply through this, but many apprehensions are also coming to the fore regarding this. Yarlung Tsangpo river of Tibet is known as Brahmaputra in India. Later this river was called Jamuna in Bangladesh. Downstream, China is building the world’s largest hydropower dam worth $68 billion.
India’s eye on China’s ‘water bomb’
Millions of people of India and Bangladesh depend on this river. India has expressed concern over the lack of transparency in this project and the possibility of water being used as a weapon. India is closely monitoring the construction of this dam.
According to CNN report, after completion, this dam will be three times more powerful than the Three Gorges Dam, which is located in China. It is currently the largest hydropower station in the world. Most experts in India have said that this project could be a potential ‘water bomb’ as it would allow China to manipulate the flow of water in India.
‘Government committed to protecting Indian interests’
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh had issued a statement on the project in August saying that he was constantly monitoring the developments related to the Brahmaputra river. The concern for India is not just environmental, but also strategic. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu warned that the project could be used as a ‘time bomb’ in which China could control the amount and timing of water released into the Brahmaputra. Sudden release of water can cause floods, while withholding water can cause large parts of the river to dry up at critical times.
The Ministry of External Affairs had said in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, “This project was first made public in 1986 and since then its preparations are going on in China.” The Ministry of External Affairs said that the government is committed to protecting Indian interests in this region. “The government carefully monitors all developments related to the Brahmaputra River, including China’s plans to build hydropower projects. The Government of India takes necessary steps to protect its interests,” the statement said.
How can it affect India?
Most of the water of the Brahmaputra River comes from monsoon rains within India and its tributaries. However, according to CNN report, experts claim that the changes made in the upper part of the river may deteriorate the ecosystem of the river. Even minor changes could affect the fertile floodplains and fisheries of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, which are already vulnerable areas to climate change.
India’s preparation to stop China
Brian Eyler, director of the Washington-based Stimson Center, described this Chinese dam as the hydropower project with the most advanced technology and design ever. He has also called it dangerous. To counter the Chinese project, India is also planning to build a dam on its part of this river. India is planning to build at least 208 hydroelectric projects in the Brahmaputra basin on the same river.
Government hydropower company National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) is planning to build a mega project i.e. 11,200 MW dam on the same river.
