West Bengal
Farakka Barrage
- 25 Mar 2025
- 2 min read
Why in News?
The Union Government has decided to commission the Farakka Barrage shortly, despite the concerns raised by the Bangladesh delegation during the talks in February 2025.
Key Points
- Project Timeline and Cost:
- The construction of the Farakka Barrage took nearly 12 years to complete, with an expenditure exceeding Rs 130 crore.
- Concerns Raised by Bangladesh:
- The Bangladesh delegation, led by the Minister for Flood Control and Water Resources, reiterated long-standing concerns
- Efforts to Address Bangladesh’s Concerns:
- The Union Government has consistently worked to dispel apprehensions, first expressed by the erstwhile East Pakistan Government and now by Bangladesh, regarding the potential impact of the Farakka Barrage on their country.
Farakka Barrage
- Location: Built on the Ganga River in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, around 18 km from the Bangladesh border.
- Commissioning: Operational since 21st April 1975, after 12 years of construction at a cost of Rs 130 crores.
- Purpose: Diverts 40,000 cusecs of water into the Farakka Feeder Canal to clear silt from the Bhagirathi-Hooghly River, ensuring smooth navigation for Kolkata Port.
- Water-Sharing Agreements: India and Bangladesh have signed multiple agreements, including the 1977 Farakka Agreement and the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty, to regulate Ganga water distribution.
