+
Indian hydropower project's design on Bramhaputra changed
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Indian hydropower project's design on Bramhaputra changed

Concerns about China's 60,000 MW hydropower project in Medog, Tibet, have reportedly led to the "redesign" of the 11,000 MW hydropower project on the Brahmaputra in the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian project's design now includes a "buffer storage" of 9 billion cu m of water during monsoon flow, according to reports. This could protect against sudden releases or serve as a reserve for water that normally comes from the Brahmaputra. The move is being interpreted as a preventative measure to safeguard India's water resources in the event of Chinese mishaps in the Brahmaputra.

In 2017, Beijing stopped sharing data on the Sutlej and Brahmaputra rivers because the flood had destroyed the hydrological gathering sites, despite growing tensions between China and India. Only in March 2018 was the sharing of data resumed. The Brahmaputra, also known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in China, is a transboundary river that runs 1,700 km within Tibet, 920 km through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and 260 km through Bangladesh.

It is responsible for 40 per cent of India's hydropower potential and nearly 30 per cent of the country's freshwater resources. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh's agricultural industries may suffer if its flow is diverted. According to sources, the concern is that China's proposed 60,000 MW dam in Medog could either reduce the natural flow of water from the Brahmaputra away from India during dry periods or worse, be used to cause "artificial floods," which are a concern for India. China's hydroelectric projects on the Brahmaputra are a source of concern for Bangladesh, one of India's too. Bangladeshi officials too have voiced concerns regarding the potential economic and environmental effects of the hydro projects on the Brahmaputra.

Concerns about China's 60,000 MW hydropower project in Medog, Tibet, have reportedly led to the redesign of the 11,000 MW hydropower project on the Brahmaputra in the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian project's design now includes a buffer storage of 9 billion cu m of water during monsoon flow, according to reports. This could protect against sudden releases or serve as a reserve for water that normally comes from the Brahmaputra. The move is being interpreted as a preventative measure to safeguard India's water resources in the event of Chinese mishaps in the Brahmaputra. In 2017, Beijing stopped sharing data on the Sutlej and Brahmaputra rivers because the flood had destroyed the hydrological gathering sites, despite growing tensions between China and India. Only in March 2018 was the sharing of data resumed. The Brahmaputra, also known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in China, is a transboundary river that runs 1,700 km within Tibet, 920 km through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and 260 km through Bangladesh. It is responsible for 40 per cent of India's hydropower potential and nearly 30 per cent of the country's freshwater resources. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh's agricultural industries may suffer if its flow is diverted. According to sources, the concern is that China's proposed 60,000 MW dam in Medog could either reduce the natural flow of water from the Brahmaputra away from India during dry periods or worse, be used to cause artificial floods, which are a concern for India. China's hydroelectric projects on the Brahmaputra are a source of concern for Bangladesh, one of India's too. Bangladeshi officials too have voiced concerns regarding the potential economic and environmental effects of the hydro projects on the Brahmaputra.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India to Invest Rs 600 Billion to Upgrade 1,000 ITIs

As part of its drive to modernise vocational training, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with Gujarat’s Labour and Employment Department, held a State-Level Workshop at the NAMTECH Campus within IIT-Gandhinagar to discuss the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation.The consultation brought together key stakeholders from industry and the training ecosystem to align expectations and support implementation of the scheme, which aims to transform 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India using a hub-and-spoke model. The total outlay stands ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India Unveils Rs 600 Billion Maritime Finance Push

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) hosted the Maritime Financing Summit 2025 in New Delhi, bringing together over 250 stakeholders including policymakers, industry leaders, global investors, and financial institutions. The summit, held under the ambit of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047, focused on transforming India into a leading maritime power with strengthened financial, infrastructural, and technological capabilities.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised India's strategic progress, noting that average port turnaround times have dropped from four days to u..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Govt Allocates Rs 500 Million To Boost Community Radio

The Central Government, through its ‘Supporting Community Radio Movement in India’ scheme, has allocated Rs 500 million to strengthen the community radio ecosystem across the country. The initiative aims to assist both newly established and long-operational Community Radio Stations (CRSs), ensuring their relevance to local educational, social, cultural, and developmental needs.According to the policy published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, CRSs may be set up by not-for-profit organisations with at least three years of demonstrated community service. These stations are ex..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?