India may bring changes to the ‘basic form and design' of Tipaimukh hydroelectric project following Bangladesh's opposition and concerns over possible damage to the lower riparian.
Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud told Parliament on Sunday that New Delhi has recently conveyed the message to Dhaka of its willingness to reconsider the ‘basic form’ of the project.
Answering to a question from Nizam Uddin Hazari, MP, the minister said a joint survey was being conducted to assess the effects of the project on Bangladesh, reports bdnews24.com.
The survey is a result of 'successful' discussions at different levels of the two governments, the minister said.
"India has informed recently that changes may be brought to the basic form of the project.
"Steps will be taken to finalise the survey once the modified data are provided," he added.
He, however, did not specify the changes India may bring to the project.
India had planned the Tipaimukh project two decades ago to generate 1500 megawatt power for northeastern Manipur state and to irrigate the downstream State of Assam by building a dam on the Barak river.
When the implementation of the project started in 2011, Bangladesh protested fearing damaging effects on the common rivers. The river divides and enters Bangladesh’s Sylhet district as the Surma and Kushiara that further amalgamate as the Meghna river.
Environmental groups are expressing concern that the dam at 200 kilometres upstream of Bangladesh will impact the country's northeast and destroy the biodiversity of Haor wetlands.
There are also concerns over reduced water flow during dry season and flood in the rainy season.
Facing protests, New Delhi assured Dhaka of not doing something that can harm Bangladesh but did not scrap the project.
Amidst mounting protests in Bangladesh's political arena and Sylhet region, Minister Anisul said two years ago that “Bangladesh will also be benefitted once the Tipaimukh dam is set up.”
He had argued that the several ideas over the dam were not based on sufficient information. "There won't be a flood in Sylhet in the rainy season, and there will be water during winter once the Tipaimukh dam is built," he had said.
On Sunday, the minister told Parliament: "Discussions at different levels are underway so that India's project to link rivers will not affect Bangladesh's environment and other sectors negatively."
Of the 57 rivers, Bangladesh shares with its neighbours, 54 flows from India.
In reply to another query regarding the construction of the Ganges barrage, the water resources minister said an eight-member technical delegation visited Bangladesh to assess the effects of the project proposed by Bangladesh on India.
Once the barrage is built, the minister said, it would be possible to keep the flow of 123 rivers in south-west region unchanged.
http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/01/30/60478/India-‘may-change’-Tipaimukh-design
Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud told Parliament on Sunday that New Delhi has recently conveyed the message to Dhaka of its willingness to reconsider the ‘basic form’ of the project.
Answering to a question from Nizam Uddin Hazari, MP, the minister said a joint survey was being conducted to assess the effects of the project on Bangladesh, reports bdnews24.com.
The survey is a result of 'successful' discussions at different levels of the two governments, the minister said.
"India has informed recently that changes may be brought to the basic form of the project.
"Steps will be taken to finalise the survey once the modified data are provided," he added.
He, however, did not specify the changes India may bring to the project.
India had planned the Tipaimukh project two decades ago to generate 1500 megawatt power for northeastern Manipur state and to irrigate the downstream State of Assam by building a dam on the Barak river.
When the implementation of the project started in 2011, Bangladesh protested fearing damaging effects on the common rivers. The river divides and enters Bangladesh’s Sylhet district as the Surma and Kushiara that further amalgamate as the Meghna river.
Environmental groups are expressing concern that the dam at 200 kilometres upstream of Bangladesh will impact the country's northeast and destroy the biodiversity of Haor wetlands.
There are also concerns over reduced water flow during dry season and flood in the rainy season.
Facing protests, New Delhi assured Dhaka of not doing something that can harm Bangladesh but did not scrap the project.
Amidst mounting protests in Bangladesh's political arena and Sylhet region, Minister Anisul said two years ago that “Bangladesh will also be benefitted once the Tipaimukh dam is set up.”
He had argued that the several ideas over the dam were not based on sufficient information. "There won't be a flood in Sylhet in the rainy season, and there will be water during winter once the Tipaimukh dam is built," he had said.
On Sunday, the minister told Parliament: "Discussions at different levels are underway so that India's project to link rivers will not affect Bangladesh's environment and other sectors negatively."
Of the 57 rivers, Bangladesh shares with its neighbours, 54 flows from India.
In reply to another query regarding the construction of the Ganges barrage, the water resources minister said an eight-member technical delegation visited Bangladesh to assess the effects of the project proposed by Bangladesh on India.
Once the barrage is built, the minister said, it would be possible to keep the flow of 123 rivers in south-west region unchanged.
http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/01/30/60478/India-‘may-change’-Tipaimukh-design
