Even as the opposition to the project continued, the NHPC had in July last year written to the state government seeking round-the-clock security at the proposed sites for core drilling works and geophysical studies.Chief Minister Pema Khandu batted for the project, citing concerns over China’s plans on the Siang River.Earlier, he stated that India needed this project considering China’s approval for the construction of a project capable of generating around 60,000 MW of power on the Yarlung Tsangpo river which becomes Siang in Arunachal and the Brahmaputra in Assam.According to Khandu, China, which is not a signatory to the International Water Conventions, intends to divert water from multiple reservoirs that will be created under its project to the dry regions of Tibet and other parts of the country.“In such a scenario, it is inevitable that the volume of water in Siang will drastically get reduced so much so that during winters one will be able to cross the mighty river on foot,” Khandu had stated.He emphasised another pressing reason for India to proceed with the Siang project: the potential devastation downstream in the Siang belt and Assam if China were to release water from its dams suddenly.
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