Teesta Mega Project: How It Could Transform Northern Bangladesh

The Teesta River is a transboundary river between India and Bangladesh. While it serves as a blessing for West Bengal, it has been a source of ongoing hardship for the people in northern Bangladesh. 

Despite flowing through five districts in Bangladesh—Rangpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, and Gaibandha—covering an area of about 2,000 square kilometers, the Teesta River is the primary source of irrigation for around 10,000 square kilometers of arable land in the region. 

According to the Washington-based International Food Research Institute, Bangladesh produces approximately 1.5 million tons less Boro rice annually due to the Teesta River’s water scarcity, representing about 9% of the country’s total rice production. 

Moreover, during the rainy season, the region experiences sudden flooding due to heavy rains and India’s release of water from its dams, causing widespread damage to lives, livestock, crops, and infrastructure. 

However, with just a $1 billion investment, these losses could be avoided, and the region could generate approximately $3 billion through the implementation of the Teesta Mega Project. China is keen to implement this project, but it has been stalled for years due to a lack of initiative from India-friendly Sheikh Hasina’s government.

In this article, we will explore how the Teesta Mega Project could change the fate of the people in northern Bangladesh.

Overview

The Teesta River originates from the Kangse Glacier in Sikkim, flows through West Bengal, and eventually merges with the Jamuna River in Bangladesh, which flows into the Bay of Bengal. 

This 414-kilometer-long river is vital for both countries, especially for the farming communities in Sikkim, West Bengal, and northern Bangladesh. For Bangladesh, the Teesta is crucial as it serves as the primary source of irrigation for about 10,000 square kilometers of land, significantly contributing to rice, vegetable, and other agricultural production in the northern region.

Tensions over water-sharing between India and Bangladesh regarding the Teesta River have been long-standing. The issue began in 1948 when India, after partition, started regulating the river’s flow by constructing dams upstream. 

The first temporary water-sharing agreement between India and Bangladesh was made in 1983, proposing an equal division of the river’s water. However, this did not lead to a permanent solution, and northern Bangladesh continued to suffer from water shortages, causing crop damage and economic distress. 

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In 2011, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were close to signing an agreement that would allocate 37.5% of the water to Bangladesh and 42.5% to India during the dry season. 

However, the deal fell through at the last moment due to opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who argued that the agreement could harm agriculture in West Bengal by reducing water flow.

For West Bengal, the Teesta is vital as it irrigates six districts. India controls the river’s water through more than 35 dams and barrages. Teesta’s water is used not only for agriculture but also for hydropower generation. 

Currently, there are five operational hydropower plants in Sikkim and West Bengal that rely on the Teesta, with 15 more under construction. Additionally, 27 more hydropower projects are in the planning stages. 

While these projects fulfill India’s electricity needs, they have exacerbated water scarcity in Bangladesh. During the dry season, when India’s irrigation and power generation requirements control the water flow, northern Bangladesh faces severe water shortages, affecting agricultural productivity. 

Where the river’s flow exceeds 280,000 cusecs during the monsoon, it drops to as low as 10,000 cusecs in the dry season, and in some parts, it reduces to only 1,000 cusecs. Northern Bangladesh heavily relies on the Teesta River for agriculture and livelihoods. 

The river’s floodplains account for 14% of Bangladesh’s total agricultural land. Due to the water shortage, farmers have had to depend on groundwater, causing a significant drop in the water table and threatening agricultural activities. Furthermore, during the monsoon, sudden water releases from India frequently cause flooding in Bangladesh, damaging crops and infrastructure.

Teesta Mega Project: A Potential Game Changer

In response to these challenges, the Bangladeshi government has taken up the Teesta Mega Project, an integrated initiative for river management, irrigation, and flood control. The project includes river dredging, the construction of reservoirs, and the building of embankments to protect against flooding. Plans also include the restoration of riverbank lands and infrastructural development.

However, the Teesta Mega Project faces geopolitical complexities. Bangladesh has sought support from China for the project, and China has offered to finance $1 billion. This proposal has raised strategic concerns for India, as the project is located near India’s Siliguri Corridor, which connects India’s mainland with its northeastern states, known as the Seven Sisters. China’s growing influence has become a cause of concern for India. In response, India has offered to finance the Teesta project as well. Many analysts view India’s offer as a strategy to counter China’s influence.

This geopolitical competition has created a challenging situation for Bangladesh. The Teesta Mega Project could revolutionize the economy of northern Bangladesh, but the country must balance its interests carefully while managing its relations with both China and India.

What is TRCMRP?

The Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP) is a mega project undertaken by the Government of Bangladesh, primarily focusing on agriculture, flood management, and land reclamation in the northern regions of the country. 

Since the Teesta River directly influences agricultural production in northern areas, this project is crucial for the overall economic development of the region. The irregular flow of the Teesta River and the excessive release of water from India during the rainy season have led to repeated flooding in these areas of Bangladesh. The Teesta Mega Project aims to address these issues.

Water Distribution Ratio

Key Features of the Project

  1. River Dredging:
    • The current depth of the Teesta River is approximately 5 meters, but this project aims to dredge the river to about 10 meters.
    • This dredging will enhance the river’s capacity to hold excess water during the monsoon season, reducing the risk of floods.
    • Around 170.87 square kilometers of land will be reclaimed through this dredging process, which will be used for agriculture, industrial development, and urbanization.
  2. Water Conservation:
    • The project includes a water conservation system to store excess water during the rainy season for use during the dry season when the river’s flow drops to as low as 1,000 cusecs in some areas.
    • This method will ensure a year-round water supply for agriculture, boosting agricultural production in the region.
  3. Flood Control:
    • Embankments will be constructed to prevent flooding that frequently affects the people living along the Teesta River Basin, caused by heavy rainfall and the release of water from India.
    • These embankments, in conjunction with water reservoirs, will work together to control both flooding and droughts, providing protection for both agricultural land and human settlements.
  4. Modernization of Irrigation Systems:
    • The project will implement modern irrigation systems, which are essential since the northern districts depend heavily on Teesta River water for agriculture.
    • Currently, due to the lack of water during the dry season, farmers rely on groundwater, which depletes water tables. The new system will ensure a consistent water supply, enhancing agricultural productivity.
  5. Improved Connectivity:
    • As part of the infrastructure improvement plan, four-lane roads will be built along the riverbanks, strengthening the region’s connection to national economic hubs.
    • This enhanced connectivity will ensure that local products reach markets faster, accelerating economic activity.
  6. Industrial and Urban Development:
    • Reclaimed land along the Teesta Riverbanks will be used to establish satellite towns and industrial zones, creating jobs and boosting the area’s economic growth.
    • By diversifying the region’s economy beyond agriculture, this project will foster various economic activities, improving long-term stability.

Economic Impact

The Teesta Mega Project will play a significant role in solving the frequent flooding problems of northern Bangladesh. Due to heavy monsoon rains and the release of water from India’s Teesta Barrage, the northern region often experiences floods that severely damage farmlands, homes, and infrastructure, disrupting daily life. 

The most notable aspect of the Teesta Mega Project is its flood control initiative, which includes river dredging and the construction of embankments. By dredging 1,400 million cubic meters of the river and building 224.30 kilometers of embankments, the river’s flow will be stabilized, preventing the sudden release of water from India’s upstream dams. This will reduce flood risks and help prevent the loss of $1.34 billion worth of property and crops.

Additionally, the project will improve the irrigation system in the northern region. Reservoirs will be built to store excess rainwater, ensuring a continuous water supply for agriculture during the dry season. 

This will allow year-round cultivation of rice, vegetables, and other crops, which is vital for the region’s economy. Controlled water management is expected to increase agricultural productivity by 8% to 14%, bringing stability to farmers’ lives and improving national food security.

The government also plans to reclaim 170.87 square kilometers of land through river dredging, with an estimated value of $1.57 billion. This reclaimed land will be used for industrial zones, townships, and power plants, transforming northern Bangladesh into an economic hub. These industrial zones will include garment factories, food processing units, and manufacturing plants, enhancing local production capacity. The project is expected to create 700,000 to 1 million new jobs, reducing poverty and improving the standard of living in the region.

As the region’s economy grows, local demand and export opportunities will increase, contributing to the country’s GDP. Improved infrastructure and connectivity will help the transportation of products to markets more efficiently, making goods from northern Bangladesh more competitive in both local and national markets. 

The Teesta Mega Project, which requires an investment of around $983 million (nearly $1 billion), is expected to generate returns of approximately $2.9 billion or more through reclaimed land and the protection of property and agricultural assets.

Conclusion

While the financial benefits of the Teesta Mega Project are measurable, the project’s true value lies in its potential to transform the lives of the people in northern Bangladesh. By alleviating the impacts of recurrent floods, boosting agricultural production, and creating new employment opportunities, this project will significantly uplift the socio-economic status of the region. In the long run, the Teesta Mega Project is expected to bring profound changes to the lives of people in northern Bangladesh.

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