India-China Water Dispute: Delhi Speeds Up Work on Largest Dam

DID Press: India has accelerated the construction of its largest-ever dam in response to concerns over the potential effects of China’s massive dam project in Tibet.

Internal assessments in New Delhi indicate that the Chinese dam on the Xiang River can reduce water flow by up to 85% during the dry season. The river is a vital lifeline for more than 100 million people across China, India, and Bangladesh, and reduced flow may have severe humanitarian and environmental consequences.

To counter this, India is fast-tracking the Upper Xiang Dam Project, which will have a storage capacity of 14 billion cubic meters. The dam aims to secure adequate water supplies during dry seasons and mitigate flooding during the monsoon.

However, the project faces significant local resistance in Arunachal Pradesh, where an estimated 10,000 residents from 16 villages will be directly affected. The Indian government has pledged compensation programs, educational opportunities, and infrastructure development to gain the support of local communities.

China, for its part, maintains that its dam in Tibet will not negatively impact downstream water resources or the environment, expressing willingness to cooperate with both India and Bangladesh.