Teesta River

The Bangladesh Prime Minister visits China, and the two sides discuss the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP). The news focus is on the Teesta River’s geography and the Bangladesh–China river management initiative linked to it.

Teesta River and TRCMRP :

Dimension	Key Details
River system	The Teesta River is a tributary of the Jamuna River (Brahmaputra River).
Countries and Indian states	The Teesta River flows through India (Sikkim and West Bengal) and Bangladesh.
Origin	The Teesta River rises from Tso Lhamo Lake (also known as Chho Lhamo Lake) in the eastern Himalayas near Chunthang in Sikkim.
Course in India	It flows south, cuts a deep gorge through the Siwalik Hills east of Darjeeling, then turns southeast through the Sivok Khola pass into the plains of West Bengal.
Course in Bangladesh and drainage	On entering Bangladesh, it merges with the river Jamuna and eventually drains into the Bay of Bengal.
Major tributaries	Major right bank tributaries include River Rangeet (largest tributary), Kanaka, and Ringyong Chhu; left bank tributaries include Rangpo, Lachung, Ranikhola, and Relli.
Hydroelectric potential	The Teesta River basin in India is a major hub for hydroelectric power; the largest generating facility is the 1200 MW Teesta-III project in Sikkim.
TRCMRP nature and partners	TRCMRP is a river management and infrastructure initiative for a 100 km stretch between Bangladesh and China, which provides funding and implementation support.
China’s interest and location	China has for years shown interest in developing the project located near India’s sensitive Siliguri Corridor connecting the mainland with the northeastern states.
CBMEC linkage	The CBMEC, if completed, will give China direct access to the Bay of Bengal.
India–Bangladesh river agreements	Agreements include: Ganga Water Treaty (1996), a 30-year treaty for sharing dry-season flows of the Ganga at the Farakka Barrage; Kushiyara River Treaty (2022), in Tripura, which allows Bangladesh to withdraw 153 cusecs of water for its Sylhet region for irrigation; Feni River Agreement (2019), which allows India to withdraw 1.82 cusecs of water for drinking purposes in Tripura.