China has given its nod to construct the world’s largest dam, termed the most significant infrastructure project globally, with an estimated cost of $137 billion, located on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet near the Indian border, raising alarms for neighboring countries, particularly India and Bangladesh.

The Chinese government announced its decision to develop a hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, which is the Tibetan nomenclature for the Brahmaputra.

The dam will be sited at a substantial gorge in the Himalayan region where the Brahmaputra river makes a notable U-turn, flowing into Arunachal Pradesh before reaching Bangladesh.

The investment in this dam could surpass one trillion yuan (approximately $137 billion), significantly overshadowing all other single infrastructure projects, including China’s own Three Gorges Dam, which is currently recognized as the largest in the world.

China had previously operationalised the $1.5 billion Zam Hydropower Station, the largest in Tibet, back in 2015. This Brahmaputra dam project forms part of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and is aligned with broader National Economic and Social Development goals and Long-Range Objectives set out through 2035, as established by the Communist Party of China’s key policy-making body in 2020.

Concerns have been raised in India, as the dam would allow China not only to manage water flow but also potentially to release significant water volumes, which could inundate border areas during hostilities. In parallel, India is also pursuing the construction of a dam on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh.

In 2006, India and China instituted the Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) to address various matters related to trans-border rivers, which involves China providing hydrological data regarding the Brahmaputra and the Sutlej rivers during the monsoon seasons.

Discussions on data sharing related to trans-border rivers were highlighted in recent talks between the Special Representatives for border issues in India and China, NSA Ajit Doval, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, which took place on December 18.

The proposed Brahmaputra Dam presents substantial engineering hurdles, situated along a tectonic plate boundary known for seismic activity. The Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as the “roof of the world,” is susceptible to earthquakes because of its location over tectonic plates.

An official statement released on Wednesday attempted to alleviate fears concerning seismic risks, asserting that the hydropower project is designed to be safe and emphasizes ecological protection.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday asserted the importance of not just hard work, but also a well-defined and timely strategy required to strengthen the grand old party, saying there is a need to give a chance to new power and to bring forth local and new leadership.

He outlined his vision for the upcoming year, declaring 2025 as the year for organisational empowerment, with plans to fill all vacant positions within the party and fully implement the Udaipur Declaration.

Kharge stressed that the organisation must be equipped with the skills necessary for electoral success, from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to local booths.

He highlighted the need to include individuals who are ideologically committed and ready to defend the Constitution, as well as those who share the Congress Party’s vision of India. “These individuals must be integrated into the party’s activities and mainstream efforts.”

Addressing the party’s supporters at the meeting of the extended Congress Working Committee in Belagavi to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s presidency, Kharge noted the ongoing discussions from the previous Working Committee meeting on strengthening the organisation.

The Congress chief referred to the collective decision to actively combat the atmosphere of disappointment following electoral setbacks in Haryana and Maharashtra.

With determination and creativity, the Congress has managed to push the government back and rejuvenate the Opposition’s energy during the last parliamentary session.

Kharge acknowledged the power of ideas and the legacy of the Gandhi-Nehru lineage as vital to the party’s identity and future.

As the Congress reconvenes in Belgaum for the ‘Nav Satyagraha,’ Kharge expressed a resolve to challenge misleading narratives propagated by those in power, stating that “those who have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution have been the ones spreading falsehoods”.

He invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s belief that “Truth survives even when it does not have public support,” reaffirming the Congress’s commitment to truth alongside the overwhelming support of the people.

Kharge urged unity against the Opposition’s lies and called for a confident and bold approach to overcoming the challenges ahead, expressing optimism that the Congress will ultimately succeed in this endeavor.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday slammed the NDA government in Bihar after police resorted to a lathi-charge on Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) aspirants protesting in Patna over the alleged leak of a question paper of the December 13 combined preliminary exam conducted by the Commission and demanding re-examination.

“I had said in Parliament that in the same way that Eklavya’s thumb was cut off, in the same way the thumbs of the youth are cut off by leaking the papers,” Gandhi said in a post on X.

Sharing the video of the police brutality, Gandhi said, “This is extremely shameful and reprehensible. Playing with the future of students will not be tolerated. We are with them and will fight to get them justice.”

“The latest example of this is Bihar. BPSC candidates are raising their voices against the paper leak and demanding cancellation of the exam. But to hide its failure, the NDA government is instead resorting to lathi-charge on the students,” the Congress leader said.

Chaos ensued during a protest on Wednesday regarding the alleged leak of a question paper for the December 13 combined preliminary exam organized by the BPSC, leading to a baton charge by state police on job aspirants. Protesters alleged that multiple participants were injured during the police action, a claim that was refuted by a senior police officer.

The Congress party condemned the police’s treatment of the job aspirants, while Independent MP from Purnea, Rajesh Ranjan, also known as Pappu Yadav, threatened a Bihar bandh on January 1, 2025, if the December 13 exam is not canceled.

A group of demonstrators attempted to march towards the BPSC office to voice their demands, resulting in a confrontation with police after their passage was obstructed.

According to Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajeev Mishra, a gathering of protestors, including job aspirants, assembled near the BPSC office on Bailey Road in the afternoon, seeking to advance towards the office. Despite being stopped by police, some protesters managed to reach the BPSC office, disrupting traffic flow.

The SSP stated, “Despite repeated requests from security personnel, they refused to clear the roadway. This is a restricted area where protests are not permitted. As a result, mild force, including a baton charge, was utilized to disperse the crowd.” Following the incident, police filed a case against the protesters.

While protesters contended that many job seekers were injured during the baton charge, the SSP maintained that no injuries were reported.

“As far as we know, no protester suffered any injuries. Mild force was applied to disperse the crowd,” he affirmed.

Videos of the police’s actions, including some depicting officers pursuing and striking protesters, including women, circulated widely on social media.