Gogoi writes to Modi over dam in Brahmaputra's upper reaches

Guwahati: Expressing apprehension over China's decision to block a tributary of the Brahmaputra, former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi raised the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the development is a matter of concern for his state as well as other parts of the region, including neighbouring Bhutan and Bangladesh.

In a letter to Modi, he urged him to take up the matter with China as such a dam would cause irreparable damage and cripple the economy of Assam.

"The economy of the state is mainly based on agriculture. This hydroelectric project in the upper reaches of Brahmaputra river will deprive Assam from the flow of huge volume of water which the state has been enjoying since the existence of the mighty Brahmaputra River," he said.

He said that he had also taken up the matter with the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Water Resources Minister in 2004 when China constructed a dam over river Brahmaputra in its upper reaches.

The Brahmaputra River is known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet where it originates.

"It will be great injustice to the people of Assam from a country with whom the government of India claims to have cordial and friendly relations. We want good relations with neighbours. There is a big market for Chinese goods in this region. The matter must be taken up urgently and seriously," Gogoi said.