Arunachal Pradesh: Centre To Build Barrage On Siang To Combat Chinese Threat, Says CM Prema Khandu

The Centre on Thursday has proposed to construct a large barrage on the Siang River to ptotect it from potential hazards posed by the massive Chinese dam being built on river Tsangpo in the Tibet. The region reportedly shares border with India's Arunachal Pradesh. 

The Tsangpo flows through Tibet before entering Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang and the same river turns into the Brahmaputra in Assam and the Jamuna in Bangladesh before it empties into the Bay of Bengal.

The confirmation came from Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu in the State Legislative Assembly while responding to a Zero Hour discussion initiated by Congress MLA Lombo Tayeng today. 

What did CM Khandu say?

Accoridng to CM Khandu, the Chinese government is planning to build a dam over the Siang River with a capacity of around 60,000 MW on the Tibet side. 

"The Indian government has raised objections over repercussions to Siang as a result of China's project. If this (the Chinese dam) happens, what will be the condition of the Siang? The river may shrink because water is diverted... we may be able to cross it on foot. There is also threat of floods if excess water is released... there will be massive floods in Siang belt, Assam and even Bangladesh."

"In case of excess water, we need to have big structures to protect ourselves from floods... the centre too has expressed concern and plans to build a barrage so we can keep Siang alive," the Chief Minister said during a Zero Hour discussion initiated by Congress MLA Lombo Tayeng.

Mr Khandu noted that some members of the public in the Siang Valley were blocking the government's initial geographical survey work and said he plans to personally visit the area to "request villagers cooperate and allow survey and investigation work for proposed barrage".

"If there is diversion of water, there will be floods and land erosion of lakhs of hectares of cultivated land. Once survey is completed then centre can give us clear picture of the matter," he said.