China officially launched the construction at the 167.8 billion USD on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, near the Indian border in Arnacal Pradesh.
Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang announced the opening during the pioneering ceremony, which took place in the lower section of the river, known locally as Yarlung Zangbo in Nyingchi City, according to official reports.
The ceremony took place at the place of Mainling Hydropower in the Tibetan autonomous area, as stated by the State Intelligence Agency Xinhua.
Key things you should know about the project:
- China has officially launched the construction of what is described as the largest infrastructure project in the world, a massive water energy dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, near the Indian border in Arunochalpradéš.
- According to official Chinese media, an ambitious project will include five cascading water stations with a total estimated investment of 1.2 trillion yuan (approximately $ 167.8 billion).
Also read: India “concerned” when China announces plans for the mega dam over Brahmaputra in Tibet: “It takes measures to…”
- After completion, the station is expected to generate more than 300 billion kilowatt -hours per year, allegedly enough to power more than 300 million people, making it the greatest effort on the planet, even exceeding the China dam.
- The dam is to be built in a massive gorge in the Himalayas, where the Brahmaputra River, known locally as Yarlung Zangbo, makes a dramatic turn before it flows to Arunacal Pradesh and then further to Bangladesh.
Also read: India, China competition for hegemony on the brahmaputr; Beijing makes a “dry” plan
What does this mean for India?
The location and scale of the project has triggered strong reactions from India and Bangladesh, both of which are strongly relying on the continuous flow of Brahmaputry for agriculture, drinking water and stability of the ecosystem. Concerns are focused on disturbing the water flow, blocking mud rich in nutrients and potential environmental damage, as well as the possibility that China could use control over the river as a strategic leverage.
In India, there were concerns as a dam, in addition to China’s control of water flow, size, and its extent, Beijing could also allow a large amount of water border areas to be released at the time of hostility.
India also builds a dam above Brahmaputra in Arnacal Pradesh.
In 2006, India and China introduced the mechanism of experts (ELM) to discuss various issues on transbundady rivers, according to which China provides India hydrological information on the Brahmaputra River and the Sutlej River during the flood periods.
Sharing data on the transformed rivers, which were listed in interviews between India, Chinese special representatives (SRS) for the border question, NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, held on December 18th last year.
The Brahmaputra dam is huge engineering challenges, because the project is located along the boundary of the tectonic album where there is an earthquake. The Tibetan plateau, considered to be the roof of the world, often experiences an earthquake because it is above tectonic plates.
However, the official statement in December last year tried to alleviate the concerns about the earthquake, with the hydner energy project is safe and prefer ecological protection.
Through extensive geological surveys and technical progress, a solid foundation was laid for scientific, safe and high quality project development. He said that Brahmaputra flows through the Tibetan plateau and carved the deepest canyon on the ground. The dam will be built in one of the happiest parts.
(Tagstotranslate) Brahmaputra River (T) China Construction Dam Construction (T) Tibet Hedropore Project (T) India Confits (T) Investment in Infrastructure
