From Bhupen Goswami
Guwahathi: It’s like preparing for a water war. China constructed a huge dam on the Brahmaputra River near Arunachal, the dam will be prone to drought in the northeastern state and Bangladesh. The official said India will have to build a big dam in preparation for a mouth-breaking reply to China. China is going to build a giant dam close to the border with India on the brahmaputra river originating from Tibetan or the lower stream of the Yarlung Jangbo River. How big the dam will be that it can be gauged from the fact that it will generate three times more hydropower than the world’s largest dam, three George, built in China. This huge size dam in China may create a drought-like situation in the north-eastern states of India and Bangladesh.
The Brahmaputra River originating from the Tibetan autonomous region enters the border of the country through the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India. In Arunachal Pradesh, this river is called Siang. Then, this river reaches Assam where it is called the Brahmaputra. The Brahmaputra enters Bangladesh through Assam. Brahmaputra is considered to be the basis of life for the North Eastern States of India and Bangladesh and millions of people depend on it for their livelihood. The dam can be built in the Medog county of Tibetan, which is very close to the border of Arunachal Pradesh in India. China has already built many small dams on the Brahmaputra River. However, the new dam is going to be in size.
The new dam will be so large that it can generate three times the power as compared to the three George Dam. On the other hand, it is heartening to say that India is preparing to respond in its language to China, which is engaged in politics on ‘ water ‘ along with the land. The Modi government has planned to construct a large dam in Arunachal Pradesh to give a befitting reply to China engaged in water politics. At the same time, a hydro-power project of 10 GW (GW) will also be installed here. India’s counter attack plan would certainly have increased China’s concern. India’s Water Power Ministry says a large dam is needed on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh to mitigate the negative impact of the Sugar dam. By becoming a dam, India will have the capacity to store more water and respond to any chinese movement.
A senior water power ministry official said the proposal has been sent to the government in this regard. It would be advisable to point out that there has been tension between the Indo-China border in Ladakh for the last several months. The tension between the two countries has increased considerably since the Galwan Valley clash. Amidst this tension, China has now made a move to build dams on the Brahmaputra River. Experts have warned that the dam near the Indian border could create flood situation in China Indian states. Not only that, China can also wage a war of water through it. The Yarlung Jangbo River originating from Tibet enters Arunachal Pradesh and is known as the Siang River. When the same Siang River reaches Assam from Arunachal, its name becomes Brahmaputra.
The Brahmaputra River, which flows beyond Assam, enters Bangladesh. The report on China’s decision to construct the dam on the Brahmaputra River has stated that the dam construction work is going to start in the new year. Let us say that according to the Trans Border River Agreement, India and Bangladesh have the right to use brahmaputra water. India has asked the Chinese authorities to abide by the agreement. It has also been stated that no activity in the upper part of the river should harm the countries in the lower reaches.