India maintains that the project, required to generate power for its northeastern region, will not hurt Bangladesh but instead will help control floods.

However, main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party of former prime minister Khaleda Zia has joined protests by a section of environmentalists and NGOs who allege that the dam would hit the ecology of the entire region.

There have been protest rallies and a 'long march' over the matter. Zia has vowed to oppose the Indian project and alleges that Hasina has 'sold out to India' on the issue.