Can Teesta Project Proceed Without India?

Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud on Sunday expressed doubts over the viability of the proposed Teesta River mega project, questioning whether it can be effective without cooperation from India.

"The water that flows through the Teesta River… without India’s help, what will happen?" he said, responding to a journalist’s question during a briefing on the outcomes of the regular ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) meeting.

The proposed project, reportedly backed by China, aims to manage and utilize the Teesta River's waters more effectively. Dr. Mahmud acknowledged that the topic came up during the ECNEC meeting but only at a surface level.

He also referenced Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus's recent visit to China, during which discussions on the Teesta mega project took place.

Emphasizing the need for proper utilization of the Teesta’s flow, Dr. Mahmud said, “We must find a way to store the water properly—perhaps through a reservoir—but no final plan has been developed yet.”

He clarified that a broad, conceptual plan was presented by China several years ago, but it cannot be termed an actual project at this stage. “In principle, the interim government is still in the exploratory phase,” he said.

Dr. Mahmud further questioned whether a meaningful project could be implemented given the current flow of the river, especially without bilateral coordination.

“There should be a feasibility study first—and that has not yet been done,” he added, noting that while some preliminary documents or blueprints exist, a concrete plan is still lacking.