China has assured India that it will not take any step which affects the downstream flow in Brahmaputra, Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat said here Friday, noting that the neighbouring country had planned only run-of-river projects. Rawat, who was addressing media in connection with the India Water Week to be held here April 8-12, said the issue of dam construction by China over Brahamputra had been discussed at the highest level with the Chinese government.
"There is no need to be panicky. Whatever construction, it is small run-of-river projects," Rawat said, adding such construction will hardly affect the flow in Brahmaputra.
The minister said China had assured India that it will take "no such step" which impacts the river's downstream flow.
China had unveiled plans for construction of three new hydropower dams on the middle reaches of the Brahmaputra river in January this year. The three new dams were approved by its state council under a new energy development plan for 2015.
Rawat said President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the second edition of India Water Week April 8 on the theme of efficient water management. The president will also launch the new National Water Policy, he added.
