It has been reported that India is closely monitoring activities undertaken by China in its hydroelectric projects along the high reaches of the Brahmaputra River, especially in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Indian officials are reportedly considering expediting the process of building a strategic multipurpose dam in Arunachal Pradesh, amid growing concerns about the potential implications of the dams on downstream water flow. Objective: to build some cushion against sudden variation in water flow, which may cause major havoc to the states in the northeast, in particular Assam and Arunachal.
China’s Dams Raise Red Flags for India
Intelligence feeds and satellite imagery in recent times have reported active construction by China of a range of dams along the Great Bend of the Yarlung Tsangpo (what the Brahmaputra is called in Tibet). India is also concerned that these dams may alter the natural flow of its rivers, either by withholding water or releasing it upstream, a situation that could lead to floods or droughts downstream.
The issues have led to the Indian officials contemplating speeding up their dam projects, as reported by the Hindustan Times. The Arunachal dam proposed is not only for the idea of storing water and providing flood control, but it is also for hydropower creation and securing water power and strategy.
Arunachal Dam as a Strategic Buffer
The dam we have in consideration would be a multipurpose infrastructure capable of storing surplus water at times of high inflow and releasing it slowly downstream. This would assist in controlling floods that are seasonal and in having an uninterrupted irrigation and power supply. Better still, it gives a geopolitical message that India is ready to defend its water interests.
Technical and environmental feasibility is also apparently under review by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission. When granted, it may turn into one of the largest dam constructions in India in the Northeast.
Looking Ahead: Should India Be Careful?
Even as India maintains diplomatic tensions with China within the parameters of the border and water-sharing treaties, it remains evident that the new dams being constructed on both sides have intensified the strategic value of the Brahmaputra River. Future action in India will require striking a balance between national security and environmental sustainability, which environmentalists are warning about.
