China dams: Gogoi asks Modi to take up issue

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise with Beijing the reported construction of dams on Brahmaputra by China.

“It is learnt that China is constructing some dams on the Brahmaputra river in the portion flowing through Tibet. This has created many apprehensions in the minds of the people.

“We urge that the matter be taken up with the government of China to ensure that the flow of water in the river Brahmaputra is not altered in any manner detrimental to Assam,” Gogoi said in a memorandum submitted to Modi who concluded his two-day visit to Assam on Sunday.

The memorandum also cited the perennial flood problem of Assam and sought Central assistance in dealing with it.

“There is a requirement of Rs 6,700 crore for strengthening of embankments and other protection measures, which will help us cope better with recurring floods in the long term. It is worth mentioning in this connection that all the embankments constructed immediately after great earthquake of 1950 have outlived their design life and need immediate strengthening,” it added.