RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2574
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016
BUILDING OF DAMS ON TRIBUTARIES OF BRAHMAPUTRA
2574. SHRI SANJAY SETH:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has ascertained the facts regarding the recent reports on China’s plan to build dams on Brahmaputra tributaries on Chinese side, if so, the details in this regard;
(b) whether the issue was raised and discussed during bilateral summit meetings on the sidelines of recent BRICS meeting in Goa;
and(c) if so, the details of outcome and assurance from Chinese leadership, if any and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) to (c) In September 2016, the Chinese authorities announced blocking of a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmaputra) River as part of a hydro project. The project, which is called the Lalho Project, is based on the Xiabuqu River in Xigaze (Tibet Autonomous
Region). According to information available, the proposed reservoir is designed to store up to 295 million cubic meters of water to irrigate about 30,000 hectares of farmland. The project also proposes to have two power stations with a combined generation
capacity of 42 megawatts. The Lalho project is approximately 1100 kms upstream of the entry point of the Brahmaputra River into India in Arunachal Pradesh. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that the reservoir capacity of the project is less
than 0.02% of the average annual runoff of the Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmputra) River.
Various issues relating to trans-border rivers, including construction of hydro-power dams, are discussed with China under the ambit of India-China Expert Level Mechanism which was established in 2006. 10th Meeting of the ELM was held in New Delhi in April
2016. Government of India, under the Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Cooperation on Trans-border Rivers, signed in October 2013, obtains hydrological data from China on Brahmaputra River. This arrangement has been useful in preventing damage during
the flood season.
As a lower riparian State with considerable established user rights to the waters of the River, India has conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, including at the highest levels of the Government of the People’s Republic of China. India
has urged China to ensure that the interests of downstream States are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas.
Chinese President H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping visited India on 15-16 October 2016 to participate in the 8th BRICS Summit held in Goa. Prime Minister met with President Xi on 15 October 2016. During the meeting, various issues of mutual interest and concern were discussed.
Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening of bilateral Closer Developmental Partnership.
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