World Bank: Rogun HPP in Tajikistan no threat to regional security

The Rogun HPP to be built on the Vakhsh River in Tajikistan will not threaten regional security, World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia Saroj Kumar Jha said in an interview published on the bank's official website.
This conclusion was made by experts undertaking assessment of the HPP project with World Bank support.
"Interim data presented in presentations and reports, as well as comments received from expert groups give reason to assume that the considered type of dam and stability of slopes of river seem to be acceptable," Jha said.
According to him, the estimated value for the probable maximum flood is based on compliance with international best practices (ICOLD standards), and may be considered sufficient in terms of the safety of both the dam and local residents.
According to the World Bank regional director, independent experts support the preliminary conclusion concerning the fact that an adequate quality of data was collected for the development of the project and assessment of risks.
Alongside according to him, the evaluation study will not draw a conclusion on whether the Rogun dam project will be implemented or not and will not determine the choice of the final version of the draft.
"They will be of an informative nature only for the decision-making process," the representative of the World Bank said.
He also said that in the event of the initiation of the construction of the Rogun HPP, the World Bank does not assume any financial obligations to support the planned construction of the dam.
Tajikistan plans to build the Rogun HPP to resolve the country's existing electricity problems. However Uzbekistan, located downstream, is against the construction. According to the Uzbek side, the construction of the dam could pose a threat to regional security.