China Starts Building World’s Largest Dam, Raising Alarm in India and Bangladesh

New Delhi (India) July 20: China officially begins constructing a large hydroelectric project on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet on Saturday. It is close to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The project's estimated cost is around USD 167.8 billion.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang declares the project's commencement at a ceremony in Nyingchi City. It is situated in the lower parts of the Brahmaputra. It is known as the Yarlung Zangbo in China.

The project was approved in December of last year. It is being praised as the world's largest infrastructure development of its kind.

Project to generate 300 billion kWh annually

The massive hydroelectric complex is expected to cost 1.2 trillion yuan. It will have five cascade power plants.

The project is anticipated to produce over 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year once it is finished. It is sufficient to power more than 300 million people.

The hydroelectric plant will be built in a significant Himalayan valley. The exact location is where the Brahmaputra abruptly turns around and flows into Arunachal Pradesh and then Bangladesh.

India, Bangladesh express strong concerns

Bangladesh and India, two downstream nations, are equally concerned about this ambitious project. The area is very sensitive because of its closeness to the India-China border. The location along an active tectonic boundary is known to experience seismic activity.

China claims no harm to downstream nations

China has rejected worries about any adverse effects. The Chinese foreign ministry promised to keep in touch with the impacted countries. They stated in December that the project "would not have any adverse effect" on downstream countries.

In the past, India's foreign ministry has encouraged China to make sure that its upstream operations don't adversely impact the interests of countries downstream. Beijing responded by claiming that there would be no "negative impact" from the project. They have confirmed its commitment to continued dialogue with nations that are lower downstream.

Pema Khandu is the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh. He has also issued a dire warning earlier this month. He referred to China's massive dam close to the border as a "ticking water bomb.”

He claims that because China "cannot be trusted" and would use the dam as a weapon. It could jeopardise local tribes and livelihoods. It could possibly pose a greater threat than the military threat.

Interestingly, as part of its regional development initiatives, India is also building its own hydroelectric plant on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh.

Aadrika Tayal