The government is satisfied with the explanation given by the Indian government regarding the Tipaimukh Dam on the Barak River, the prime minister’s Foreign Adviser Gowher Rizvi said on Monday.
“We are completely satisfied by the Indian government’s explanation concerning the Tipaimukh Dam. There should not be any further apprehension about this issue,” Gowher told reporters after a programme in the capital’s Bangabandhu International Convention Centre.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ogranised the event.
When asked about the Tipaimukh Dam, the adviser said, “You know that recently, the Tipaimukh hydroelectric power project has raised a storm of debate and misinformation in the country. In this situation, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sent us to India to verify the matter.”
“There, we have discussed with the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other senior leaders. The Indian prime minister has assured us that no action would be taken about Tipaimukh that would harm Bangladesh in any way. In addition to this assurance, if needed, he invited a committee of Bangladeshi specialists to India,” he said.
If needed, Bangladesh might get electricity from the Tipaimukh project through mutual investment, Gowher said quoting the Indian side.
India has given every assurance that there are no provisions for irrigation in the project. The dam would only be for electricity generation, the PM’s adviser added.
He further said, since the project is aimed at producing electricity through the dam, India will release water throughout the year. Therefore, there is no reason for disquiet about this issue.
When asked how Bangladesh will get electricity from joint investment, Gowher said, “Our country has a deficit of power. The Tipaimukh project will generate electricity. India has invited Bangladesh for joint investment in the project. If Bangladesh invests in the project then we will get electricity according to our share. In this regard Bangladesh has to decide.”
