Q.5628: CONSTRUCTION ON BRAHMAPUTRA

Will the Minister of SPACE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether satellite images have been taken of any construction activities in the entire course of river Brahmaputra;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the reaction of the Government in this regard?

ANSWER: MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE(SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY):

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) & (c) From the satellite data analysis, it was observed that construction activity is going on at Zangmu, on the main Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Government has taken up this matter with the Chinese side, including during the recent visit to India by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in December 2010. The Chinese Premier said that China’s development of upstream areas will be on the basis of scientific planning and study and will never harm downstream interests. Government has ascertained that this is a run-of-the-river hydro-electric project, which does not store water and will not adversely impact the downstream areas in India. A large proportion of the catchment of the Brahmaputra is within Indian territory. It is important that the States of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam harness and utilize the waters of the Brahmaputra. Government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s national interest and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it.

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