We indeed welcome that the much-talked-about US$1.0 billion multipurpose project on Teesta River management is now considered a priority project by China and the authorities in Beijing are tasked with its evaluation. Since we are not receiving enough water from upstream, it makes a good strategic sense that larger investors like China are entering our water sector. Bangladesh has sought $938.27 million in loan from China to implement the mega project while the rest will be borne by it, say competent sources.
Bangladesh, two years back, mooted the proposal for implementing the one-billion-dollar project under Chinese funding as the water-sharing treaty on this trans-boundary river with neighbouring India “could not be materialised despite a decade-long wait”. The project’s feasibility study had been completed by Power Construction Corporation of China two years ago and the works would start after the signing of the loan agreement. Meanwhile, both Bangladesh and China have decided to hold the 15th meeting of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) sometime this year in virtual format — after a gap of five years.
Experts have said since the Teesta River is in a barind tract, the population of this area is largely dependent on irrigation for agriculture. This area is also a large supplier of Bangladesh’s rice and vegetables. This trans-boundary river, before it enters Bangladesh from India, has around 35 barrages to divert water. There are three to four hydro-electricity projects on Teesta in Sikkim, India where the river originates and two irrigation projects in West Bengal. Consequently, this river is weakened and has less water upon entering Bangladesh. According to official data, in the rainy season, the river has around 280,000 cusecs of water; which comes down to around 10,000 cusecs at times. In some places, it is occasionally below 1,000 cusecs. We downstream depend on the Teesta water for agricultural purposes but India is diverting the water in the dry season and releasing it during monsoon, resulting in massive flooding in the country’s northern districts.
The major features of the megaproject are: 108-kilometre river dredging, 173km river embankments on both side, a 115-kilometre four-lane road, 170.87 square kilometers into an urban complex, building industry, power plants, and a big reservoir to conserve huge surplus water that flows through the river every monsoon to ensure water supply for irrigation during the dry season. We need to make a comprehensive plan considering the whole river basin as well as ensuring public participation and an ecological approach.
