The government has ascertained that construction activity on the Brahmaputra river at Zangmu on the Chinese side is a run-of-the-river hydro-electric project which will not adversely impact the downstream areas in India.

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna informed the Lok Sabha today that the government is aware of concerns of Arunachal Pradesh in this matter. He said changes in river flows are caused by natural factors like hydro-meteorology and climate changes.

There has neither been any abnormal rise nor fall in the flow of the river on the Chinese side. Mr. Krishna recalled the assurance given by the Chinese government that the development of upstream areas of the Brahmaputra will never harm downstream interests.