Bangladesh PM says joint Tipaimukh dam survey soon

Dhaka, Jun 27 (bdnews24.com) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the process is underway to conduct a joint survey to assess possible impact on Bangladesh of the proposed construction of Tipaimukh dam over Barak river in India's northeastern Manipur state.

She was responding to a question from Sirajul Islam MP during the Prime Minister's question-answer session in parliament on Wednesday.

"On the basis of talks at various levels between the two countries, the Indian government has agreed to conduct a joint survey to assess the possible impacts of the dam on Bangladesh," she said.

The list of names of the Bangladesh team representatives for the joint survey had already been sent to the Indian government, the Prime Minister said.

"The joint survey will start soon," she added.

Indian state of Manipur on Oct 22 signed an agreement with state-owned NHPC Ltd and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd to construct the 1,500MW Tipaimukh hydroelectric power project in the northeastern state.

BBC on Nov 18 reported that Manipur had signed the contracts to build the controversial dam on Barak river, which flows into Bangladesh as Surma. Bangladeshi media reported widely on the issue that triggered a nationwide criticism of the project.

Responding to a subsequent letter sent from the Bangladesh government enquiring about the project, India assured that the project would not affect the country negatively.

The Indian government has been assuring Bangladesh that it would not take any steps that might jeopardise the 'friendly relationship' between the countries.