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China-Bangladesh Teesta Project: 140 MCM Dredging, 171 Sq Km Reclamation, India's Strategic Concern

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
27 Jun 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:140 million cubic metres dredging171 sq km land reclamation124 km new embankments224 km road network82 jetty facilities55,000 hectares irrigated by TBIP
Bodies:POWERCHINABangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB)China Major Bridge Engineering CompanyTeesta Barrage Irrigation Project (TBIP)
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What This Article Covers

1.Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman secured China's assurance on the Teesta project during his Beijing visit (June 24-26, 2026), with Feasibility Study expected to expedite.

2.The MoU (originally signed in 2016 under Sheikh Hasina) was revived in Jan 2026; includes dredging 140 MCM, reclaiming 171 sq km, 124 km new embankments, and 224 km road network.

3.India's strategic concern: project near Siliguri corridor (Chicken's Neck) with Chinese professionals potentially stationed there; also impacts unresolved India-Bangladesh Teesta water-sharing talks.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

China has assured Bangladesh on building the Teesta River Comprehensive Management Project, a major infrastructure initiative near India's strategic 'Chicken's Neck' corridor. This raises concerns for India as it involves a potential Chinese presence in a sensitive region and could alter the long-standing water-sharing dynamics between India and Bangladesh.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Dredging Volume140 million cubic metres
Land Reclamation171 sq km
New Embankments124 km
Road Network224 km
Jetty Facilities82

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Dredging Volume: 140 million cubic metres
  • ›Land Reclamation: 171 sq km
  • ›Target this Data: 140 million cubic metres of dredging and 171 sq km land reclamation under the Teesta project.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: POWERCHINA (Chinese state-owned company) and Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: MoU signed in 2016, extended in January 2026 under Bangladesh interim government.

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which Indian state is most directly affected by the Teesta water sharing due to the Gajoldoba barrage mentioned in the article?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the China-Bangladesh Teesta project:

1. The original MoU for the Teesta project was signed in 2016 under the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

2. The project includes construction of 124 km of new embankments and 224 km of road network.

3. The project is funded by the World Bank.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, how much riverine sediment is planned to be dredged under the Teesta project?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

Why does Bangladesh seek China's help for the Teesta project despite India's water sharing negotiations?

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