Brahmaputra dam not to stop water

The Chinese company, which is constructing a 510 MW hydropower station on Brahmaputra river in Tibet, said on Wednesday the project will not reduce water flows downstream as feared by countries like India.

The Chinese company, which is constructing a 510 MW hydropower station on Brahmaputra river in Tibet, said on Wednesday the project will not reduce water flows downstream as feared by countries like India.

HT Image

Damming of the river began on November 12, marking the formal start of construction of the 7.9 billion-yuan Zangmu Hydropower Station.

The move has caused concern in the downstream countries, including India, who fear the project will disrupt water flows but China played down the fears. “After it becomes operational, the river water will flow downstream through water turbines and sluices. So the water volume downstream will not be cut,” said Li Chaoyi, chief engineer of the prime contractor for the project.