Assam panel to look into China's dam plans

In the wake of reports that China was constructing dams in the upper reaches of river Brahmaputra, Assam has decided to constitute an expert committee to look into the matter.

The committee would try to find out the actual position of the dam and its impact on the North-East region.

Assam’s chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday had a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discussed the matter.

He also met defence minister AK Antony. Singh assured Gogoi that he would take up the matter with the Chinese government.

The reports suggested that China was constructing dams in the upper reaches of river Brahmaputra, known as Yarlung Zangpo in Tibet. However, China had denied any such plan of constructing dams.

Gogoi had earlier told reporters that the state government was “seriously concerned” over reports of dam construction by China and if any such dam was constructed, it would affect Assam and dry up river Brahmaputra and other water resources downstream. Gogoi discussed the border problem between Assam and Bangladesh, besides cross-border smuggling of goods and insurgency problem.

The Prime Minister promised to extend all possible help for construction and early completion of border roads.

Singh would visit Assam soon to attend the Assam Agriculture University’s convocation and foundation stone-laying ceremony of Petroleum Technology Institute in Sibsagar.