Beijing: China has begun generating electricity from Tibet's biggest ever hydropower project, the latest dam development on Himalayan rivers that has prompted concern in India.
The dam on the Yarlung Zangbo river - known as the Brahmaputra in India, where it is a major waterway - will be 116 metres (381 feet) high when completed next year, according to reports.
Foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said Monday that New Delhi had been aware the dam was "coming up".
"The Chinese have told us that it should have no implication for us," he said.
India has previously expressed concern about damming the Brahmaputra, one of the largest Himalayan rivers and a lifeline to some of India's remote, farm-dependent northeastern states.
The first generating unit of the $1.6 billion Zangmu Hydropower Station, which stands more than 3,300 metres above sea level, went into operation on Sunday, China's official Xinhua news agency said. It will have a total generating capacity of 510,000 kilowatts, Xinhua said, making it the largest dam ever built on the Tibetan plateau.
India's Foreign Ministry last year urged China "to ensure that the interests of downstream states are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas" of the river, after state media reports that China planned several more dams there.
Chinese dam construction has been blamed for reduced flow and sudden flooding on the Mekong river which flows into Southeast Asia, claims Beijing has denied.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters, "The hydropower stations China builds will not affect the flood prevention and ecological system of downstream areas."
Chinese media showed photographs of the Tibetan dam - a large concrete structure that did not appear to have flooded an area significantly wider than the river's original span.
The dam on the Yarlung Zangbo river - known as the Brahmaputra in India, where it is a major waterway - will be 116 metres (381 feet) high when completed next year, according to reports.
Foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said Monday that New Delhi had been aware the dam was "coming up".
India has previously expressed concern about damming the Brahmaputra, one of the largest Himalayan rivers and a lifeline to some of India's remote, farm-dependent northeastern states.
The first generating unit of the $1.6 billion Zangmu Hydropower Station, which stands more than 3,300 metres above sea level, went into operation on Sunday, China's official Xinhua news agency said. It will have a total generating capacity of 510,000 kilowatts, Xinhua said, making it the largest dam ever built on the Tibetan plateau.
Advertisement
Chinese dam construction has been blamed for reduced flow and sudden flooding on the Mekong river which flows into Southeast Asia, claims Beijing has denied.
Advertisement
Chinese media showed photographs of the Tibetan dam - a large concrete structure that did not appear to have flooded an area significantly wider than the river's original span.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
World's Second-Largest Hydropower Dam Goes Live In China China's Plan For Mega Dam In Tibet Raises Concern In India China Approves 14th Five-Year Plan To Build Dam On Brahmaputra In Tibet 2,200 Jobs, 25,000 Aspirants: Air India Spot Sparks Stampede Scare In Mumbai 4 Top Leaders Quit Ajit Pawar's Party In Major Setback After Poll Drubbing Trump's Running Mate Calls UK "Truly Islamist State With Nuclear Weapons Delhi Doctors Report Rise In Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease In Children World Emoji Day 2024: Know Date, History And Significance BJP Huddle In UP Today To Review By-Election Preps After Big Poll Setback Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.