Tipaimukh issue is more technical than political

The Tipaimukh hydro-electric project featured large in almost all the national dailies of December 23, 2011. The fact that a tripartite agreement has been reached among the Monipur government and two companies and a joint company formed has sent shivers down the collective spines of Bangladeshis. Indian officials have tried to make it clear that the project is not to establish a dam for transfer of water for irrigation or other purposes. It is a hydro-electric project that will store water during rainy season and the stored water will be used for generation of electricity round the year. Indeed, a 10 member Bangladesh Parliamentary delegation had visited India in July 2009 at the invitation of the Indian government. At that time it was made clear to them that the proposed project is a hydro-electric project with the provision to control floods and not to involve diversion of water on account of irrigation. After their visit the delegates seemed happy with the overall situation of the Tipaimukh project. Recently too much criticism is being made on the Tipaimukh project and proposals have come from different quarters to stop it. The leader of opposition has said her party will co-operate the government in the initiative of stopping the project. Indian citizens from Assam, Mizoram and Monipur regions have also started protesting the Tipaimukh project. The protesters believe it to be another Farakka barrage. But India government says it is not a barrage but a power plant for electricity generation. It is known that there is one hydro-electric project in Kaptai hilly area of Bangladesh and the project was set up more than 50 years back. At that time it was the best source of energy for electricity generation in the eastern region and Dhaka city. India is one of the technology rich countries in the world. They have a large number of scientists, technologies and researchers who continuously improve all pervasive technologies including the technology of hydroelectric generators. As such technology used in Kaptai will not be the same in Tipaimukh. Bangladesh authorities should have clear idea of the technology that is to be utilised in Tipaimukh project. Without having information about the technology used, it will not be wise to go on agitation against a neighbouring country. According to media reports Bangladesh government is going to send special representatives to India in connection to Tipaimukh project. The authorities are requested to include some senior Bangladeshi scientists in the mission with the requisite technological knowledge particularly on hydroelectricity. The Tipaimukh issue is much more technical than political. Professor Lutfor Rahman is Chairman, Computer Science and Engineering of Stamford University. Email: lutfor@agni.com