New Delhi invites Dhaka’s stake in dams on common rivers

[BanglaBhoot]

In contrast to China’s unilateral move to construct dams on the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra, India has taken a different route with respect to dams on rivers it shares with Bangladesh.

India and Bangladesh have identified several projects including the controversial Tipaimukh hydel project in which Dhaka could have equity participation. Over time, some portion of the electricity generated by projects on common rivers could accrue to Bangladesh, said official sources.

“We have identified the projects and Bangladesh can come and participate in them, including the Tipaimukh project. They had raised some queries to which we replied. We are waiting to hear from them,” added the sources.

‘Take Dhaka into confidence’

According to the proposal, a copy of which is with The Hindu, the Ministry of External Affairs has informed Indian power companies about adverse reactions in Bangladesh over the Tipaimukh project on River Barak and advised them that any development, however insignificant, should be taken up after taking Dhaka into confidence.

The sources said that after the power companies decided to share technical details and the environment plan with Bangladesh, National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon advised them to take the extra step by inviting Dhaka to participate in the Tipaimukh project.

Subsequently, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh felt that as a first step, a delegation could be invited to India to discuss the possibility of Bangladesh taking a stake in the project.

Bangladesh has now shown interest in jointly developing nine hydroelectric projects in the North East and Sikkim. Of them, three are under construction — Subansiri (2000 MW), Myntdu (84 MW) and Teesta-III (1200 MW). Dhaka is also interested in six other projects that are at the planning stage including Jadukata (345 MW), Tipaimukh (1500 MW) and Teesta-IV (495MW).

Testing the waters

The offer of a joint stake in Tipaimukh, which is located in India on the Manipur-Mizoram border but on a river common to Bangladesh, will be the first move to test the waters in terms of various wrinkles that are likely to appear in a joint hydel project with a huge capital outlay. The project had led to agitations in Bangladesh where people feared that the dam would lead to floods during monsoons and lean flows during the rest of the year.

Public reactions in Bangladesh became more adverse after a promoters’ agreement was signed between two public sector companies and the Government of Manipur.

With the Prime Minister cracking the whip, the three original partners in the Tipaimukh project are ready to re-work their equity holding to accommodate Bangladesh as a stakeholder.

Sources said a part of the electricity that would be generated could be transferred to Bangladesh. India has a similar arrangement with Bhutan which is working satisfactorily — India buys about 1,200 MW of power from Bhutan and pays for it. India is constructing projects in Bhutan that are expected to yield an additional 10,000 MW provided funds don’t fall short.

India has already taken small steps in this regard with Bangladesh. A transmission line is nearing completion and, by this summer, India should be supplying 500 MW to her eastern neighbour.

The two sides are now working on an East-West connectivity project under which electricity generated in the North-East will be evacuated to eastern India by taking transmission lines across Bangladesh.

If all goes according to plan, officials say Bangladesh’s share from the projects could be transferred from this grid.

The Hindu : News / National : New Delhi invites Dhaka

 

[trinity]

Real nice of India, right?

 

[Srinivas]

Where is the anti India BD brigade???

 

[animelive]

Where is the anti India BD brigade???

Don't worry, they will make something up. I've got my popcorns

on topic: Good move by India. We should both enjoy the benefits of nature.

 

[Srinivas]

Don't worry, they will make something up. I've got my popcorns

on topic: Good move by India. We should both enjoy the benefits of nature.

India's approach will be open and will allow both India and BD for building condenses on this issue

 

[Android]

there is a conspiracy behind this to harm bangladesh by chanakya idealogist RAW and their dalal government

there is a conspiracy behind this to harm bangladesh by chanakya idealogist RAW and their dalal government

 

[Ayush]

I am waiting for the one trapped in Chanakyan trap.

 

[Srinivas]

I am waiting for the one trapped in Chanakyan trap.

Good one mate

 

[zip]

I think its indian conspiracy .. They know rawami league will sign everything in indian favour .. It is indian conspiracy to bind bangladesh from future demand for sharing of resources .. Am i right ?

 

[ShadowFaux]

If they use blockade of water flow in order to produce electricity, then the water is released after it has done its work. So we are gonna get the water we need, unless India uses up some of the water elsewhere for irrigation/industrial purpose.

Is there some kind of agreement between the two governments ragarding the water share? There should be.

Feedback guys. No conspiracy theory please.

 

[PlanetWarrior]

This is nothing more than a bloody RAW conspiracy to produce more electricity to electrocute all the Bangladeshis. And this too with the help of Sheikh Hasina.

 

[eastwatch]

there is a conspiracy behind this to harm bangladesh by chanakya idealogist RAW and their dalal government

there is a conspiracy behind this to harm bangladesh by chanakya idealogist RAW and their dalal government

1) RAW or no RAW there is something brewing in the minds of Delhi politicians. They have already stalled the process of providing 100 MW worth of power to BD from Tripura-this is what its Chief minister Manik Sarker complained. Read the other thread that I have started.

2) Now, after building 54 barrages and dams India is coming with a proposal of taking BD in confidence so that it can keep on building dams across the border with impunity. Tipaimukhi dialogue seems to be to soothe the fear of locals where the dam will be built.

3) Tipaimukhi will destroy the ecology of downstream Sylhet Haor system that harbours fishes in the summer and allows rice farming in winter. Tipaimukh will change all that. There will be less water in summer because Tipai will retain water. There will be more water in winter because Tipai will release water in that period.

4) Lesser water in summer is a recipe for destroying the fish cultivation in the Haors of Sylhet. On the other hand, more water in winter will cause the submerged Haors to produce less quantity of rice. So, Tipai is a two-headed snake for us. India is certain to build this dam, but is trying to woo BD opinion in its favour by talking of joint venture. Tipai will just ruin the ecology and economy of Sylhet area. The GoB must be strict with India about this dam building.

 

[Tridibans]

In contrast to China’s unilateral move to construct dams on the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra, India has taken a different route with respect to dams on rivers it shares with Bangladesh.

As usual, no Bangladeshis will ever talk of this

 

[ShadowFaux]

@Tridibans, bro plz have a look at eastwatch's post; the one before yours. Seems like we are better off without the dam. Govt should consider everything before going along with Delhi's decision to build the dam. If it harms us, we should talk to India in order to stop the project. Top class diplomacy is needed here.

 

[Tridibans]

@Tridibans, bro plz have a look at eastwatch's post; the one before yours. Seems like we are better off without the dam. Govt should consider everything before going along with Delhi's decision to build the dam. If it harms us, we should talk to India in order to stop the project. Top class diplomacy is needed here.

You see I am not against the Bangladeshi's point of view. What I am amazed is that even when we are ready to hold joint talks on concerns of each party involved, still people feel India has vested interests.

Just a single question to you. Please answer it with as much objectivity and unbias as possible.
You see, as you said, Bangladesh govt. should think for the betterment and development of BD citizens. Hence as per you, India should not build the dam.

Now, obviously, Indian government is also a democratically elected one, working for the interests of 1.2 billion people, which, again, obviously will be before anyone else. Now tell me, if they feel the dam will be in the interests of Indians, won't they try and push for its construction, come what may?

Hence, the solution is in between. Can't be exactly like what BD thinks. We are also the owners of the river. Our views should also have atleast 50% importance, if not less.