China begins construction of $167.8 billion Brahmaputra dam near India border

China on Saturday officially commenced construction of a massive USD 167.8 billion dam on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet, close to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced the project’s launch during a ground-breaking ceremony held in Nyingchi City, located along the lower stretches of the Brahmaputra, locally known in China as the Yarlung Zangbo, according to state media.

The ceremony was held at the site of the Mainling hydropower station in Tibet’s Nyingchi region, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Touted as the world’s largest infrastructure initiative, the project has triggered concerns in downstream countries, particularly India and Bangladesh.

The project will consist of five cascade hydropower stations, with a total investment estimated at around 1.2 trillion Yuan (about USD 167.8 billion), the report said.

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According to a 2023 report, the hydropower station is expected to generate more than 300 billion kWh of electricity each year – enough to meet the annual needs of over 300 million people.

It will primarily deliver electricity for external consumption while also addressing local demand in Tibet, which China officially refers to as Xizang.  Representatives from various organisations, including the National Development and Reform Commission and the Power Construction Corporation of China and locals attended the ceremony, the report said.

With inputs from agencies