India, Bhutan boost river cooperation; key hydropower projects reviewed

The delegation was led by V. L. Kantha Rao, Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. The team included officials from DoWR, RD & GR; representatives from the state governments of Assam and West Bengal; and experts from WAPCOS Limited.

During the Secretary-level bilateral meeting held on February 25, both sides reviewed existing mechanisms of cooperation in flood management and flood forecasting between India and Bhutan, according to an official statement issued by the Government of India.

Discussions focused on strengthening and modernising the hydro-meteorological observation network in Bhutan on transboundary rivers, enhancing data-sharing mechanisms for flood forecasting, and expanding collaboration in capacity building and technical exchanges.

The two sides also addressed emerging challenges such as climate change, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and extreme weather events.

Following the meeting, the Secretary paid a courtesy call on Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Bhutan’s Minister for Energy and Natural Resources.

On February 26, the delegation visited the Punatsangchhu-I Hydro Electric Project, currently under construction, as well as the recently commissioned Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project.

He held review meetings with officials of PHPA-I and PHPA-II to assess the progress of both projects.

Other site visits included the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology in Thimphu, the 3.5 MLD Water Treatment Plant at Chamgang, and the NCHM flood monitoring station near Wangdue Phodrang Dzong.