Now Reading: India plans mega-dam in Arunachal to counter China water fears
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India plans mega-dam in Arunachal to counter China water fears
India is planning to build its largest dam in Arunachal Pradesh, a 280-metre-high structure on the Siang River, to counter China's $167 billion Yaxia hydropower project upstream in Tibet. The dam, with…
India is planning to build its largest dam in Arunachal Pradesh, a 280-metre-high structure on the Siang River, to counter China's $167 billion Yaxia hydropower project upstream in Tibet. The dam, with a storage capacity of 9.2 billion cubic metres, is seen as a defensive measure to guard against potential weaponised water releases from China. However, Adi tribe residents at one of the proposed sites fear the project will drown their villages and sacred river.
The project comes as China presses ahead with its Yaxia project, which could produce three times more electricity than the Three Gorges dam. Indian officials worry China could use the dam to control water flow, creating droughts or floods. China rejects these concerns, calling the 'water bomb' narrative groundless. Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu calls India's dam a 'national security necessity'.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Siang-Brahmaputra dispute echoes earlier tensions over the Brahmaputra's tributaries where China built dams without sharing data. India's dam would be its most powerful, at 11,200-11,600 MW, but its primary purpose is water security. The project threatens the Adi people's way of life: the river is central to their identity, and flooding could displace thousands. India must balance national security with tribal rights. The next step is a final site selection and environmental clearance, which could take years and face legal challenges.
Source: khaleejtimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
