China changes its decision to divert Brahmaputra's course

New Delhi, Jun 17: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has been affirmed that China was not diverting the course of the Bramhaputra. According to the proposed reports presented by China for building a dam on the bend of the Yarlung Tsangpo, Gogoi was terribly worried over the fact that the river's diversion might affect Assam.

Gogoi was concerned that Brahmaputra's diversion might have an adverse ecological impact on the state. Gogoi, in a press conference earlier said that they are "concerned as any diversion of the river may affect my state" as it might hit Assam's agricultural economy.

After citing assurances by Beijing and New Delhi's own "verification", External Affairs Minister SM Krishna reassured Gogoi that the river's course was not being diverted.

According to Gogoi, Krishna had relived him by confirming that the hydro project "would not have any impact on Assam, either economically or otherwise" . In fact Krishna pacified him that there was no cause for worry.

Krishna said, "I have said earlier and would like to repeat it again that we have been monitoring the developments both through our satellite pictures as well as our interactions with the Chinese authorities. The Chinese authorities have conveyed to us that it is going to be a run of the river power project. There is not going to be any reservoir. As a result of that, the question of any diversion or any storage of water does not arise."

Krishna also suggested both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments to prepare necessary project reports in order to utilise the Brahmaputra water for the maximum benefit of people in the two states.

OneIndia News