India plans to build big dams over Brahmaputra, says Uma Bharti

NEW DELHI: In a bid to establish India's riparian rights over use of water from the transboundary Brahmaputra river, the Centre is planning a massive dam in Arunachal Pradesh, which would also help control floods in Assam and produce power.

Union Government is discussing the project with Arunachal Pradesh government proposed with a capacity of between nine and 13 BCM in Siang region of the state.

"We are planning two projects on Brahmaputra, which I have briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about. The solution on Brahmaputra's perennial flow lies in middle Siang. Even Siang is the answer for floods in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam... The problem for the Brahmaputra nd problem from the Brahmaputra are both going to be sorted out within a very short period," Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti told reporters here.

According to Additional Secretary of Water Resources Ministry Amarjit Singh, "once we have a storage dam, we get the right for that quantum of water as a riparian state under the international practices.

"If you have a storage dam in India on an international river, it gives us right for that much water," Singh said.

Pointing out that the dam would also be helpful in a big way for controlling floods in Assam, he said that about 9600 MW of power could be produced through the facility.

The development comes in the wake of India having an agreement only to receive flood level data of the river flowing from neighbouring China.

On the other hand, Singh said, the Water Resources Ministry is planning to strengthen over seven lakh water storing structures including ponds and other water bodies along the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.