Lok Sabha Question No. 2704 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-27
Subject: Diversion of Brahmaputra River
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: NINONG ERING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 2704

ANSWERED ON 27.12 .201 8

## DIVERSION OF BRAHMAP UTRA RIVER

## 2704. SHRI NINONG ERING

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Brahmaputra river in Arunachal Pradesh is being diverted towards Xinjiang construction of a 1,000 km. tunnel by China and if s o, the details and the facts thereof;

- (b) the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government to solve the issue of frequent floods being caused by

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## ( SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHW AL )

(a )& ( b) As pertheinformation provided by MEA, Government hasseenmedia reports inthis regard. Government has alsonotedthat theChineseMinistry of ForeignA ffairs ina public statement rejected suchmedia reports asuntrue.

As a lower riparian Statewith considerable established userrights to thewatersof thetrans -borderrivers, Government hasconsistently conveyedits viewsand concernstotheChineseaut horities, including atthehighest levels, and hasurgedthem toensurethat theinterests ofdownstream States are notharmed by any activities inupstreamareas.

The Chinesesidehasconveyedtous on several occasions that theyareonlyundertaking run - of the - river hydropower projects, which do not involvediversion of thewatersof theBrahmaputra.We intend toremainengagedwithChinaon theissue oftrans - border rivers tosafeguard ourinterest.

Variousissues relating totrans - borderrivers, includi ng construction of hydro - power dams, are discussed with China under the ambit of an institutionalized ExpertLevel Mechanism which was established in2006.

(c) As perconstitutional provisions, thesubject of Flood Management including erosion control falls within the purview of the States. The flood management & anti - erosionschemes are planned, investigated and implementedby theState Governments withtheir own resources asperpriority within the State. The Union Government renderstechnical guidanceand promotional financial assistance to

States. Government of Indialaunched Flood Management Programme (FMP) sinceXI Plan for providing central assistance totheState Governments fortaking up works related toriver management, floodcontrol, anti - erosion, drainage development, floodproofing works,restoration of damaged flood management works and anti - seaerosion works.

WRD, Govt.ofAssam hasinformedthat theyhaveimplementedthefollowing floodand erosion management works intheBrahmaputra, Barakand their tributaries:

|   SI No. | Nature of Works                   | Total          |
|----------|-----------------------------------|----------------|
|       01 | Construction of embankments       | 44 86 . 44 Kms |
|       02 | Town protection works             | 983 nos        |
|       03 | Anti erosion works                | 983 nos        |
|       04 | Construction of sluice gates      | 645 nos        |
|       05 | Construction of drainage channels | 18 1. 96 Kms   |
|       06 | Raising of strengthening works    | 875 .. 64 Kms  |

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