Arunachal MLA raises concerns over China's dam project, seeks action
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh legislator Ninong Ering expressed serious concerns about a massive dam China is building on the Yarlung Tsangpo River near the International border.
Ering, a senior BJP MLA and former Union minister, spoke during a motion of thanks to the governor's address in the state assembly.
China is building a 60,000 megawatt dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Medog.
Tsangpo is known as Siang in Arunachal Pradesh and Brahmaputra in Assam. The main channel of this river is the Jamuna, which flows through Bangladesh before joining the Bay of Bengal.
He said China could divert the river flow, severely impacting the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh and causing water scarcity.
Ering further said that sudden water releases from the dam could trigger devastating floods downstream in India and Bangladesh.
Ering stressed the importance of prioritizing national security and urged the government to take decisive action.
He highlighted the absence of a water treaty between India and China, further amplifying the potential risks.
While acknowledging the benefits of hydropower projects for Arunachal Pradesh, Ering advocated for consulting local communities before dam construction to ensure their interests are protected.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu previously announced the central government's plan to build a large barrage on the Siang River to mitigate potential flooding caused by the Chinese dam.
