Planning advisor calls Teesta project talks 'vague' with no concrete progress yet

The government has held only “vague policy-level discussions” on the Teesta project without any internal consensus or feasibility study, according to Planning Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud.

Asked whether the government or the National Economic Council’s Executive Committee (ECNEC) has had any formal discussions on the project, Wahiduddin said the matter remains largely at a conceptual level.

 “Only vague, policy-level discussions are taking place on the Teesta project. Without India’s cooperation, what would even come of it?” he said, questioning the project's viability without upstream support.

Although China has expressed interest, the advisor said, there is still no feasibility study or detailed design in place.

He made the remarks during a media briefing following Sunday’s ECNEC meeting at the Planning Commission.

When asked about the much-discussed Teesta River project, Wahiduddin said: “The reality is, how can we make full use of the water we do receive? Can we construct any reservoirs? Can we store some of the water? There’s still no comprehensive plan. Years ago, China submitted something resembling a design, but it doesn’t really qualify as a project proposal.”

He added: “We’re still at the policy stage, considering whether a viable project can be developed based on the current water flow. And if a project is found to be viable, then we’ll need to consider whether China is willing to support it.”

“But first we need a feasibility study. We haven’t yet assessed whether a project of that scale is even possible. There’s a blueprint, but no real technical design.”

Following Muhammad Yunus’s appointment as the chief advisor to the interim government, he undertook his first bilateral visit to China on Mar 26.

A joint statement from the two nations at the time said they agreed to deepen cooperation in hydropower, flood control, disaster risk reduction, river dredging, and water resource development.

It also mentioned positive talks on implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on hydropower information sharing on the Yarlung Zangbo-Jamuna River system.

Speaking about the visit, Chief Advisor’s High Representative Khalilur Rahman told the media that China responded “positively” to discussions on the Teesta project.

“The chief advisor held extensive, deep and wide-ranging discussions with China on water resources. China serves as an important model for us in river system management and utilisation,” he said.

“They’ve played a pioneering role globally in this field. The chief advisor has sought President Xi Jinping’s support, and China has expressed full commitment to assist us.”

The Teesta project was originally proposed to the now-ousted Awami League government by China.

During former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s final months in office, tensions reportedly surfaced between her government and Beijing over the matter.

In a briefing in mid-July 2024, Hasina also said she was considering offering the project to India.