China has taken the initiative to build a huge hydropower project by building a barrage on the Brahmaputra, one of the largest rivers in Asia known as the Yarlong Jangbo. The project is being implemented as part of Beijing's 14th Five-Year Plan.
According to a report in the Chinese daily Daily Global Times the dam will be built on the Brahmaputra River in Madag County, Tibet, near the Arunachal border at the entrance to India. India expresses concerns over China's decision. The people of North-East India may face water crisis. This is because most of the Brahmaputra river basin flows through India. It is feared that Brahmaputra-dependent people may face various problems. However, experts said that it could be an alarm signal not only for India but also for Bangladesh.
Yan Jiang, chairman of the China Power Generation Corporation, said the government has planned to build a power plant under the Yarlung Zhangbo River which will become the main source of water supply in more than one part of the country. It will also help in power supply and security. Through this project water resources and internal security can be maintained.
It will be a milestone in the history of China's energy production. The details of the plan will be known after the formal approval of the National People's Congress (NPC) early next year, he said.
India and Bangladesh have expressed concern over China's proposal to build a dam on the Brahmaputra River. However, China is reportedly not thinking about concerns of India for their own interests. The dam will help generate 6 crore kilowatts of electricity a year, which will produce 300 billion kilowatts of carbon-free and recyclable electricity annually. It is expected to earn 300 million dollars a year.
Earlier, India had repeatedly asked the Chinese government not to build anything at the upper riparian of the river so as not to cause any damage to the lower riparian states. However, ignoring India's demands, China announced the construction of a huge dam and hydropower plant in Tibet near the source of the Brahmaputra River.