Latest news with #YarlungZangboRiverLowerReachesHydropowerProject
India.com
20-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
China's $167 Billion Mega Dam Project on Brahmaputra in Tibet Kicks Off — How Could It Affect India?
China on Saturday officially kicked off the construction on a mega dam project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo, upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River in Tibet. The project has reportedly sparked concerns in nations including India and Bangladesh, which are the downstream countries. After China had announced its plans to build a mega dam on the Brahmaputra River, India voiced its concerns with Beijing last year, including 'the need for transparency and consultation' with the nations that lie downstream. China Dam's Affects On India The government of China has insisted that the project aims to deliver electricity for external consumption and address local demand in Xizang. However, the construction of the dam could harm the downstream nations of the Brahmpautra. India has reportedly been carefully monitoring the developments relating to the Brahmaputra River, including China's plans to develop hydropower projects. Moreover, New Delhi has also taken necessary measures to protect the nation's and citizens' interests, including preventive and corrective measures to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people residing in downstream areas. According to a report by India Today, with an investment of billions of dollars, the project is expected to generate over 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. According to the report, the project's hydropower station will be built at a significant gorge in the Himalayas, specifically where the Brahmaputra River makes a U-turn before entering Arunachal Pradesh and subsequently flowing into Bangladesh. Thus, the project has raised concerns in India and Bangladesh. India's Concerns On Dam Construction The concerns of India regarding the construction of the dam were also raised during the visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Beijing for a meeting of the Foreign Secretary-Vice Foreign Minister mechanism between both countries on January 26 and 27. Fast forward to July 2025, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing and discussed the trajectory of India-China bilateral relations. During the talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the EAM emphasised a long-term approach to resolving bilateral issues. Groundbreaking Ceremony Chinese Premier Li Qiang, 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. According to IANS, the state-owned press agency reported that 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, which is about 167.8 billion US dollars. Also Read: Indus Water Treaty Suspension: Can Pakistan-China Make Brahmaputra A Weapon Against India? Expert Says… India's Bridge Over Brahmaputra River According to ANI, the Indian Railways sanctioned the construction of the Second Rail-cum-Road Bridge at Saraighat over the Brahmaputra River, under the doubling project of the Agthori-Kamakhya railway line in Assam. The project, approved under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), is estimated to cost Rs. 1,473.77 crore and is targeted for completion by December 2029. The bridge will cover a total length of 7.062 km between Agthori and Kamakhya stations, and will feature a 1.3 km-long steel composite girder over the Brahmaputra.
India.com
19-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
China Begins Construction Of Mega Dam On Brahmaputra, Prompting Concern In India
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 has taken necessary measures to protect its interests, including preventive and corrective measures to safeguard the lives and livelihoods 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. "Various issues relating to trans-border rivers are discussed with China under the ambit of an institutionalized Expert Level Mechanism which was established in 2006, as well as through diplomatic channels. As a lower riparian state with considerable established user rights to the waters of the trans-border rivers, Government has consistently conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, and has urged them to ensure that the interests of downstream states are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas," Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), had said while replying to a question in Rajya Sabha on March 27 on the issue of China approving the construction of a mega hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo despite concerns raised by India regarding its impact on downstream water flow and ecological stability. The issue was also raised during the visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Beijing for a meeting of the Foreign Secretary-Vice Foreign Minister mechanism between both countries on January 26-27, following which both countries had announced their decision to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. "During the visit, India and China agreed to hold an early meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism to discuss resumption of provision of hydrological data and other cooperation pertaining to trans-border rivers. The Government of India remains engaged with China on the issue of trans-border rivers to safeguard our interests," MoS Vardhan had stated in Parliament. Earlier this week, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing and discussed the trajectory of India-China bilateral relations. The interaction took place as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers' call on the Chinese President. During the talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, EAM Jaishankar emphasised a long-term approach to resolving bilateral issues. "Incumbent on us to address aspects related to the border, normalising people-to-people exchanges and avoiding restrictive trade measures and roadblocks. Confident that on the foundation of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, ties can develop along a positive trajectory," he posted on X after the meeting on Monday.
News18
19-07-2025
- Business
- News18
China Starts Construction Of Mega-Dam On Brahmaputra In Tibet. What It Means For India
Last Updated: The dam project, called the Yarlung Zangbo River Lower Reaches Hydropower Project, involves the construction of five cascade power stations China has begun building a massive hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, known as the Brahmaputra once it enters India. The project, launched on Saturday in the Tibet region, has raised serious concerns for downstream countries, especially India and Bangladesh. The ceremony was attended by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, along with officials from central agencies, state-owned enterprises, engineers, and local representatives, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency. The dam project, called the Yarlung Zangbo River Lower Reaches Hydropower Project, involves the construction of five cascade power stations. It aims to straighten parts of the river's natural bends and divert water through tunnels. The total investment is around 1.2 trillion yuan (about $167.8 billion). China has stated that the electricity generated will be mainly used outside the region, while also meeting local needs in Tibet. What It Means For India However, this move has sparked alarm in India, which lies downstream. Indian officials fear the dam could affect water flow, agriculture, and ecological balance in the northeastern states. Any disruption in the Brahmaputra's flow could harm millions who depend on the river for farming and daily life. India has raised the issue with China several times. After China first announced the dam plans in late 2023, India asked for greater transparency and consultation. On 27 March this year, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told Parliament that India had urged China to respect the interests of downstream countries. Talks were also held during Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit to Beijing in January. Both sides agreed to hold a meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism, a platform created in 2006 for discussing river-related issues. India also pushed for the resumption of hydrological data sharing from China, which is vital for managing river flows and preparing for floods. Earlier this week, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. He stressed the need to address long-standing issues, including water cooperation, to build stable ties based on mutual respect and sensitivity. 'Incumbent on us to address aspects related to the border, normalising people-to-people exchanges and avoiding restrictive trade measures and roadblocks. Confident that on the foundation of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, ties can develop along a positive trajectory," he had shared on X after the meeting. (With inputs from IANS) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
