Tipaimukh plant
India to make changes in project design
Joint survey assessing
impacts, says Anisul
UNB
Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud yesterday told Parliament that India has informed of making partial changes in the Tipaimukh hydropower plant project. A joint survey is being conducted to assess the impacts of the Tipaimukh hydropower plant project on the lower riparian Bangladesh, the minister added, reports UNB.
Following successful discussions at different levels, a joint survey is being conducted to assess Tipaimukh hydropower plant projects impacts on various sectors of Bangladesh, he said replying to an unstarred question from Awami League MP Nizam Uddin Hazari.
When the data and statistics over the changed project will be supplied to Bangladesh, step will be taken to finalise the survey, he said.
Besides, discussions at different levels is on so that Indian proposed river interlinking project has no adverse impact on the environment, he said.
Anisul Islam said the framework of Teesta and Feni rivers water sharing agreements have already been finalised following successful discussions with India. The agreements are now to be signed, he added.
The minister said according to Ganges water sharing agreement signed in 1996, Bangladesh has been getting the just share of water at Farakka point in every dry season since 1997.
He said Bangladesh continues negotiation with India and Nepal to construct water reservoir in the Ganges tributary to increase water flow of the Ganges River at Farakka point and hydropower plant.
The Tipaimukh hydropower project was planned two decades ago to generate 1500MW of power and to irrigate the downstream Assam State by building a dam on the Barak river. Bangladesh protested the project as its implementation began in 2011, fearing adverse effects on environment and the common rivers.
