Bikash Singh
Economic Times Bureau
July 29, 2014
GUWAHATI: Assam Chief minister Tarun Gogoi’s son and first time MP, Gaurav Gogoi pitched for expediting the construction of hydro power projects on River Brahmaputra to counter China’s massive activity on Brahmaputra which is called Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet.
Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Santosh Kumar Gangwar in parliament recently stated Government of India is aware of construction activity on the Chinese side which is a Run of the River (RoR) hydroelectric project.
He had stated recently released ‘Outline of the 12th Five Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China indicates that three more hydropower projects on the main stream of the Yarlung Tsangpo/Brahmaputra River inTibet Autonomous Region have been approved for implementation by the Chinese authorities.
The MP from Koliabor, Gaurav added various use of river Brahmaputra including hydro power and transportation will help India in establishing users right over the river.
“Hydro-power is clean energy source and the projects on Brahmaputra need to be put on fast-track because China is also doing similar activities on the river. Fast the projects come up on Brahmaputra, Assam and parts of Northeast can overcome power crisis,” Gaurav said.
Several projects are facing logjam due to opposition from anti dam groups.
