Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on Wednesday blamed past decisions for the risks surrounding the Tipaimukh Dam in India, saying, “We brought about our own disaster.”
He made the remark on Wednesday during a question-and-answer session, following a supplementary query from Sylhet-3 lawmaker Abdul Malik.
Earlier, responding to Malik’s question, Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said the issue would be discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explore possible solutions.
The Tipaimukh Dam is a proposed multipurpose hydroelectric project on the Barak River in India’s Manipur state, roughly 100 kilometres upstream of the Bangladesh border. The project aims to generate around 1,500 megawatts of electricity and manage floods.
However, experts and policymakers in Bangladesh have long warned that it could reduce water flow and trigger serious environmental consequences downstream, particularly in Sylhet.
Drawing on his past experience as a water resources minister, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed claimed that Bangladesh had played a role in enabling the project.
“This Tipaimukh Dam was constructed by India at the request of Bangladesh’s then foreign minister Abdus Samad Azad,” he said. “We brought about our own destruction.”
During the session, Abdul Malik highlighted Sylhet’s recurring hardships, pointing out that vast areas, including roads, go underwater during the Kalbaisakhi and monsoon seasons due to upstream flow from the Barak River and hilly runoff. And during the dry season, locals have to suffer from an acute water crisis.
On behalf of his constituents, he sought clarity on the government’s plans regarding the dam and measures to ease pressure from upstream water flow.
In reply, Abdul Awal Mintoo said the concerns raised would be taken up with the foreign ministry to find a long-term resolution. He also acknowledged the challenges caused by irregular water flow, noting that steps would be considered to mitigate the impact in the future.
The Speaker’s remark, however, has added a fresh layer of political significance to the long-standing debate over the Tipaimukh Dam and its implications for Bangladesh.