Chinese authorities have begun constructing what will be the world's largest hydropower dam in Tibetan territory, in a project that has sparked concerns from India and Bangladesh. Chinese Premier Li Qiang presided over a ceremony marking the start of construction on the Yarlung Tsangpo river on Saturday, according to local media.

The megadam is set to become the world’s largest hydropower system and, costing an estimated $167 billion, by far the most expensive megadam of all time. It is anticipated to provide 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, or around 4 percent of China’s energy needs.

China has begun construction of the biggest hydroelectric dam in the world. The dam will be located on the Tibetan Yarlung Tsangpo river, also known as the Brahmaputra and Jamuna, just 50 km away from the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh.