China approves world's largest dam on Brahmaputra river

China has given the green light for the construction of the world's largest dam, a monumental hydropower project on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, near the Indian border. This dam, reported to be the planet's biggest infrastructure project, is projected to cost USD 137 billion and has the potential to generate three times more energy than the existing Three Gorges Dam.

Project Details:

The dam will be constructed on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo, the Tibetan name for the Brahmaputra River. According to the Power Construction Corp of China, the dam is estimated to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This project is part of China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and the National Economic and Social Development and Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035.

Environmental and Social Impact:

While the construction of the Three Gorges Dam involved resettling 1.4 million people, Chinese authorities have not yet disclosed how many people might need to be displaced for this new project or its potential impact on the local ecosystem.

Geopolitical Concerns:

The approval comes amidst heightened tensions between India and China. There are significant concerns in India regarding the project's impact on water flow and potential for strategic flooding in border areas during times of conflict. India's plans to build a dam on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh further complicate the situation.

Regional Reactions:

Both India and Bangladesh have previously expressed concerns about Chinese dams on the Brahmaputra River, citing risks of flash floods and water scarcity downstream.