Our Bureau
New Delhi
China’s ambitious mega hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo, which flows into India as the Brahmaputra, has come under fresh scrutiny after reports revealed that the dam is being constructed on an active geological fault line, raising concerns over its structural safety and potential downstream implications for India. The development adds a new dimension to New Delhi’s long-standing strategic and environmental concerns surrounding the world’s largest proposed hydropower project.
According to reports citing Chinese government-backed geologists, the proposed dam site in Tibet lies atop the Paizhen Fault, an active tectonic zone vulnerable to earthquakes, landslides and slope instability. Researchers have reportedly recommended extensive reinforcement measures to minimise geological risks, underscoring the engineering challenges associated with the project.
For India, the findings are significant as the Brahmaputra is a critical lifeline for millions across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and other northeastern states. Any structural failure, sudden release of water or disruption in river flow could have serious implications for downstream communities, ecosystems and disaster management. The project has already sparked concerns over water security, ecological balance and China’s ability to regulate river flows on a transboundary river system.
Experts, however, note that while the geological risks heighten safety concerns, the majority of the Brahmaputra’s annual discharge is supplemented by rainfall and tributaries within India, limiting China’s ability to significantly alter the river’s long-term flow. Nevertheless, the project’s proximity to the India-China border and its location in a seismically active Himalayan region continue to make it a matter of strategic importance for New Delhi.
India has consistently maintained that upstream infrastructure projects should not adversely affect downstream nations and is expected to continue closely monitoring developments as construction progresses.
