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News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Two Scientific Views': Why Assam CM Is Not Worried About China's Brahmaputra Dam Project
Last Updated: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma downplays concerns over China's Brahmaputra dam, citing multiple water sources. He trusts the central government to handle discussions with China. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday tried to downplay the immediate concerns over China's construction of the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River, saying there is no immediate cause for worry. Addressing reporters in Guwahati, CM Sarma noted that the Brahmaputra is not dependent on a single water source, with much of its flow coming from Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, and rainfall within Assam. 'I am not immediately worried because Brahmaputra is a mighty river and it is not dependent on a single source (of water)," news agency PTI quoted Sarma as saying. China last week officially launched the $167.8 billion-project in Tibet near the Arunachal Pradesh border. Once complete, the five-stage hydropower project will generate over 300 billion kWh of electricity annually—enough to power over 300 million people—and surpass the scale of China's Three Gorges Dam. Sarma acknowledged uncertainty about the dam's effects, pointing out that scientific opinions vary. 'First — if Brahmaputra's flow is disturbed by China, then there may be less water and consequently biodiversity will be affected. But there is also a counter view that if less water comes, it will also act as a flood cushioning. So, I don't know which one is correct," he said, adding that the central government is better placed to review the implications. 'I am sure that they (Centre) must already be having a discussion with China or will have a discussion with the neighbouring country," he added. Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu in the past expressed serious concerns over China's mega project, calling it ticking 'water bomb". He termed China's project an existential threat and a bigger issue than anything else apart from the military threat. 'The issue is that China cannot be trusted. No one knows what they might do," he told PTI. The Brahmaputra, known as Yarlung Zangbo in Tibet, flows through one of the world's most seismically active and rain-heavy regions. Its course takes a U-turn before entering Arunachal Pradesh and then Assam, raising concerns in India and Bangladesh about flood control and water security. India is also building a dam on the river in Arunachal. Talks on trans-border river data sharing between India and China are ongoing under the Expert Level Mechanism (ELM). view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
China begins $167.8 billion Brahmaputra dam construction in Tibet. What does it mean for India?
China has officially begun construction on a USD 167.8 billion dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, near the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh. Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced the launch during a groundbreaking ceremony held at the lower reaches of the river, known locally as the Yarlung Zangbo in Nyingchi City, according to official reports. The ceremony took place at the site of the Mainling hydropower station in the Tibet Autonomous Region, as reported by state-run Xinhua news agency. China has officially begun construction on what is being described as the world's largest infrastructure project, a massive hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, close to the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh. According to official Chinese media, the ambitious project will include five cascade hydropower stations, with a total estimated investment of 1.2 trillion yuan (approximately USD 167.8 billion). Also Read: India 'concerned' as China announces plans for mega dam over Brahmaputra in Tibet: 'Will take measures to…' Once completed, the stations are expected to generate more than 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, reportedly enough to power over 300 million people, making it the largest such effort on the planet, even surpassing China's Three Gorges Dam. The dam is set to be built in a massive gorge in the Himalayas, where the Brahmaputra River, known locally as Yarlung Zangbo, makes a dramatic U-turn before flowing into Arunachal Pradesh and then onward to Bangladesh. Also Read: India, China contest for hegemony on Brahmaputra; Beijing makes 'drought' plan The project's location and scale have provoked strong reactions from India and Bangladesh, both of which rely heavily on the uninterrupted flow of the Brahmaputra for agriculture, drinking water, and ecosystem stability. Concerns centre around disruptions to water flow, blocking of nutrient-rich silt, and potential ecological damage, as well as the possibility that China could use control over the river as strategic leverage. Concerns arose in India as the dam besides empowering China to control the water flow, the size and scale of it could also enable Beijing to release large amounts of water flooding border areas in times of hostilities. India, too, is building a dam over the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh. India and China established the Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) in 2006 to discuss various issues related to transboundary rivers, under which China provides India with hydrological information on the Brahmaputra River and the Sutlej River during the flood seasons. Data sharing of trans-border rivers figured in the talks between India, China's Special Representatives (SRs) for the border question, NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, held on December 18 last year. The Brahmaputra Dam presents enormous engineering challenges as the project site is located along a tectonic plate boundary where earthquakes occur. The Tibetan plateau, regarded as the roof of the world, frequently experiences earthquakes as it is located over the tectonic plates. But an official statement in December last year sought to allay concerns about earthquakes, saying that the hydropower project is safe and prioritises ecological protection. Through extensive geological explorations and technical advancements, a solid foundation has been laid for the science-based, secure, and high-quality development of the project. It said the Brahmaputra flows across the Tibetan Plateau, carving out the deepest canyon on Earth. The dam will be built in one of the rainiest parts.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
University volunteers tackle litter
VANDERBIJLPARK.- ASEZ, an international University Student Volunteer Group from the World Mission Society Church of God carried out its 8819th Worldwide Clean-up Campaign at Living Stone Boulevard and Frikkie Meyer Road in Vanderbijlpark's Central Business Division (CBD) on Sunday, June 13. During the campaign, a total of just over fifty volunteers picked up all kinds of litter in collaboration with the with the Emfuleni Local Municipality's (ELM) Waste Management Department in what was hailed as a significant effort towards a clean healthy environment in the Vanderbijlpark community. ASEZ is an international University Student Volunteer Group from the World Mission Society Church of God, which is carrying out volunteer services in 175 countries around the world, under the slogan, 'Save the Earth from A to Z'. ELM's Waste Management Department Manager, Stephen Monyatsi, who also joined the clean-up campaign along with four other colleagues, expressed his gratitude and emphasised the importance of ongoing cleaning. 'We are thankful to ASEZ for coming here to assist us. I always say, waste never ends. As long as there are people, trees, etc, there will be waste. So, thank you so much for this initiative to clean-up the environment together with us, as the municipality of Emfuleni, 'he said. The clean-up was also joined by ASEZ's South Korean members who regularly visit the country and worldwide to lend a helping hand to local members. The Korean university students have been working in a strong bond with the local students to amplify the voices of youth around the world and urge global collective actions for a better future. ASEZ member from the North West University (NWU) Tatenda Kanyenze said she hoped the clean-up helps to raise the awareness to the community in protecting the environment. 'We hope that through this meaningful clean-up, we can raise awareness even in this area in taking care of our planet together for a better tomorrow. We aim to share the warmth and love of a mother to all our neighbours and the world, especially those facing climate disasters and other hardships,' she concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Special Emfuleni/Rand Water project approved by Council
This will see a new company (known as the Special Purpose Vehicle between Rand Water and the Emfuleni Municipality) manage water and sanitation under a new CEO and new brand, and will incorporate all present Metsi municipal workers. The SPV is the brainchild of ELM Manager April Ntuli. The ELM/Rand Water SPV is on a 70/30 percent basis, with Rand Water the major partner. But the SPV will only be launched after specific financial and funding provisions have been addressed, especially in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). Both ELM and Rand Water have expressed the desire to professionalise and corporatise water services that will provide a long-term solution to the endemic infrastructure decay, massive leakages in potable water and estimation billing which have plagued the municipality for years. In Council, the Freedom Front Plus abstained from the SPV approval vote. The Democratic Alliance (DA) voted for it, but with conditions relating to the comprehensive submission of key documents within 60 days on issues such as a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, Service Delivery Agreement, Asset Transfer Agreement and including a Debt Assignment Agreement. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
ELM & Eskom: ‘Do not use these banking details'
Less than a minute Gugulethu Kgongoane Less than a minute ELM & Eskom: 'Do not use these banking details' EMFULENI – Eskom and Emfuleni Local Municipality say they aware of a fraudulent letter circulating with incorrect banking details. The letter falsely instructs customers to make electricity payments to an unauthorised account. In a statement Eskom advises customers within the Emfuleni municipality area to use only the official Eskom-issued banking details below for electricity payments: Bank Name: First National Bank Account Number: 50851624426 Branch Code: 223626 Reference: Your Emfuleni Account Number Proof of payment must be sent to: [email protected] and [email protected] No other banking details should be used under any circumstances. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
