Tipaimukh Dam: In Whose Interest

Tipaimukh Project is likely to figure at the talks Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni will have with his Indian counterpart during his visit to Delhi on September 8. Here is a quick take on the dam. The author is Shahriar Kabir, a Bangladesh scholar

Media and private TV channels have raised a storm over tea cup over the proposed Tipaimukh dam in India. I had the privilege to take part in some of the “talk shows” telecast on some TV channels on the subject when I noticed that many so-called experts expressed opinion that ran counter to reality. Some even mentioned that Tipaimukh dam would be located within 1 km from Bangladesh border. This shows complete ignorance of some basic facts about the dam.

BASIC FACTS

The proposed Tipaimukh dam is situated in Churachandpur, Manipur state of India, at a distance of 210 km from the Bangladesh border. Its height and length will be 162.8 m and 390 m respectively.

Tipaimukh is a multi purpose project for flood control and power generation. It will generate 1500 MW electricity in summer and 500 MW in winter. The project cost, according to Dec 2002 estimates is INR 5183.86 Crore..

The proposal dates back to 1972.

In the first meeting of India-Bangladesh Joint River Commission (JRC) held in New Delhi on Jun 25-26, 1972, a proposal to construct a dam on Barak River to control flood in parts of North East India and Bangladesh was adapted.  It was item no 5 on the agenda. The proposal said that a reservoir would be needed to be constructed on Barak River.

Thereafter the JRC held 13 meetings in Dhaka and New Delhi to find out what would be appropriate – a dam or its substitute.

At the 7th meeting of JRC (Feb 28- Mar 2, 1974, New Delhi) it was decided to conduct a joint survey to select a site for construction of a reservoir and a dam. After four years of survey, discussions and reviews, the issue of constructing a dam in Tipaimukh came up for consideration in the 14th JRC meeting (Jan 20-24 1978, Dhaka), which also considered at length how Bangladesh would be benefited by this dam.

Tipaimukh dam again figured in a JRC meeting when Bangladesh did not raise any objection but sought information whether India had any plan to construct a barrage at Tipaimukh for irrigating parts of Assam and Tripura. India categorically stated that it had no plan to construct barrage or dam on river Barak without obtaining Dhaka’s consent.

INDIA PROPOSAL

At the JRC meeting held on Sep 19 and 20, 2005 in Dhaka, India raised the proposal for construction of Tipaimukh dam when Bangladesh expressed apprehensions that the dam could have adverse impact on downstream Bangladesh areas. Bangladesh also pointed out that it could lead to drying of Surma-Kushiara-Meghna river basin.

At this stage, India assured Bangladesh that Tipaimukh dam would be constructed only for flood control and hydel power generation and India would not divert waters from this dam for any other purpose including irrigation. Apart from controlling flood in both India and Bangladesh, it would augment dry season flow of the river from which both countries would be benefited. Barak River is a rain fed river. After utilizing the waters for hydel power generation the waters would be released during dry season to augment the river flow.

BNP GOVT- FOREIGN EXPERTS

In 1993 when BNP was in power, both local and foreign water experts conducted a survey under Flood Action Plan (FAP) launched by the government to find out how Bangladesh would be affected by Tipaimukh dam.

The survey team pointed out only two ill effects of the dam that could have adverse impact on Bangladesh –

a) The level of flow in downstream river could go down in some places; and

b) If the dam collapses it could inundate parts of North East India and entire Sylhet region in Bangladesh.

India repeatedly stated that the dam would be quakeproof. But some geologists have expressed the fear that Tipaimukh dam would be located in seismic zone and earthquake may cause the dam to collapse.

JAPAN's DAM EXPERIENCE

Japan is the most quake prone area in the world. Yet, it has constructed 2675 major dams to stand at No 4 position in the world in terms of dams. None of the dams has been affected by any quake in that country. China (22000 dams), USA (6575 dams) and India (4291 dams) occupy 1st, 2nd and 3rd position in that order in terms of number of dams.

World Commission on Dams has (Nov 16, 2000) identified the adverse effects of dam as: (a) number of persons displaced by dams the world over ranges from 4 to 8 crore
(b) crores of people lost their livelihood which depended entirely on river
(c) persons displaced by dam have not been adequately compensated or given alternative accommodation or profession; and
(d) in many cases, persons displaced by dam have not agreed to accept compensation package offered to them.
But, in the considered view of the Commission, dams are essential for socio-economic growth of a developing country. Population growth leads to increasing demand on food, water and electricity. In fact, both agricultural and industrial production depends to a large extent on power and water supply.

There are 4500 major dams in the world. Many countries are building dams for development. Environmentalists and human rights activists are generally known for their opposition to dams. If India takes any initiatives to build a dam on a common river, opposition to such moves does not remain confined to environmentalists and human rights workers in Bangladesh. It assumes a much larger dimension by taking the form of ‘jihad’ against ‘Hindu state’ India.

JAMAAT’s OPPOSITION

Jamaat and its allies have accused India of waging ‘water aggression’ on Bangladesh and termed Tipaimukh dam a ‘death-trap’ for Bangladesh. It will be no surprise if these elements say that ‘Hindu waters’ of Barak River have swept away the Islamic heritage and values of the Muslim populace residing in Sylhet region. The collaborators of 1971 (during the war of Independence for freedom from Pakistan) had carried out indiscriminate killings and raped countless innocent women to protect and defend territorial integrity of Pakistan, which according to them, is the ‘abode of Allah’.

Jamaat and its allies even defended their role as collaborators of the occupying Pak forces by describing the newly emerged Bangladesh as a ‘Hindu-Jews state’ and saying  that Jamaat workers had opposed emergence of Bangladesh as they  believed that Pakistan and Islam were inseparable and dismemberment of Pakistan would create rifts in Islamic fraternity. The same mentality is working even now. Interestingly, Jamaat chief Nizami counseled the Govt to work speedily for stopping Tipaimukh dam construction ‘without wasting time’ in pursuing trial of war crimes.

PAKISTAN’S WORRIES…?

Pak Defense Forum website is full of articles on Tipaimukh dam. The lead article reads “Tipaimukh – A conspiracy to turn Bangladesh into desert” written by ‘Pak pal’. The author showers invectives on India. Pakistan is also strongly opposed to trial of the war criminals as it could lead to unmasking of many in Pakistan and their agents in Bangladesh. It is quite obvious that Jamaat would concentrate all its energies to build up anti-Tipaimukh agitation and all other issues involving India.

Bangladesh will definitely oppose Tipaimukh project if there is anything against Bangladesh’s national interest. But for this, it will not join hands with the anti-liberation and pro-Pak Jamaat.

If it is found that Bangladesh would ultimately gain from Tipaimukh dam it will definitely support it. Rather it should try to extract maximum advantage from India instead of carrying out anti-India campaign.

BENEFITS FROM DAM: HOW AND WHAT…

Flood Action Committee has in its report pointed out how Bangladesh would be benefited from Tipaimukh dam. This report can be re-examined by the Bangladesh government.

India has decided to give 12% power generated from Tipaimukh to Manipur state free of cost as many people of the state will get displaced by the dam.

Bangladesh also can also raise similar demands after proper assessment, before the government of India. If Bangladesh can get even 500 MW power free of cost or at a subsidized rate from India, it will go a long way to develop the country.

If India agrees, Bangladesh can become a partner in construction of the dam and this partnership will ensure that India cannot unilaterally withdraw waters from Barak River. Even without partnership, it is possible to get this assurance from India by entering into an agreement on the pattern of the Ganga Waters agreement.

The Awami League during its earlier rule succeeded in persuading India to give a legitimate share of Ganga waters to Bangladesh. Insurgency in Chittagong hill tracts has become a thing of the past as a result of an agreement with the insurgents.

IF CHINA COULD, WHY NOT OTHERS

By the year 2025, about 3.5 crore people will be deprived from their legitimate share in water. Moreover the demand for water for irrigation purpose will increase by 15-20%. Lack of water will lead to desertification. The only solution lies in construction of reservoirs and dams to store water to meet emergency in future.

Till now, China has constructed 85412 reservoirs with bearing capacity 634.5 billion cubic meters. Nonetheless, China finds it difficult to restrict desertification in Gobi and Taklamakan areas. In 1947, India had only 300 dams which increased to 4000 in 2000.

International Commission on Irrigation holds the view that in the coming 100 years, the world needs another 45000 major dams.

The Left leaders in Bangladesh are echoing the statements of BNP-JEI on Tipaimukh dam. They may better look at the dams being constructed by China. The world’s largest dam is coming up on Yangshi River in China. After the Communist revolution in China in 1949, Beijing adapted the policy of constructing dams and reservoir for economic development of the country.

BNP leader Khaleda Zia has reportedly sent letters to Indian Prime Minister and UN Secy Gen highlighting the so-called threats to Bangladesh from Tipaimukh. She has threatened to raise the Tipaimukh dam issue at the UN and other international forums. But when she was the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, she never said a single word against the Tipaimukh dam. As long as she remained PM, Tipaimukh dam did not pose any threat to Bangladesh. If it has not posed a threat during her reign why will it now?.

Bangladesh government has to take the initiative to hold talks with India. No opposition leader can send letters to the Prime Minister of another country or the UN Secy General. This is a breach of diplomatic norms.

Within India itself, Tipaimukh dam has created some resentment in Manipur, Mizoram and Assam. Because they view the project as beneficial to Bangladesh. India will not lose anything if Tipaimukh project does not come through. It is Bangladesh that will be at jeopardy. It is for Sheikh Hasina to take a bold decision so that India goes forward with the project in Bangladesh’s interests