Farakka
Barrage is a barrage across
the Ganga River, located in the Indian state of West Bengal, roughly
16.5 kilometres from the border with Bangladesh near
Chapai Nawabganj District. Construction was started in 1961 and
completed in 1975 at a cost US $23 million. The barrage is about 2,240
metres long. The feeder canal from the barrage to the Bhagirathi-Hooghly River is about 40 km long.
The Ganges is one of the largest
rivers in the world. It covers an area of 1.095million 𝑘𝑚2of which India covers 79%, Bangladesh and China share 4% each
and remaining 13% belongs to Nepal. Once regular flooding and drought were
regular phenomena in India and the Government formed ‘Verduin Commission’ to
figure out mitigating measures to solve the issue in 1950. The commission
formulated a plan of two parts, the Himalayas River Development (HRD) and Plain
River Development (PRD). Based upon the PRD India has constructed 947 dams and
barrages since 1956. Among them 40 barrages are near India-Bangladesh border
and the Farakka barrage is the largest one. The Barrage was commissioned on 21st April 1975 with the diversion of water to the feeder canal in
a bid to safeguard Kolkata port.
History of ‘Farakka Barrage’ by timeline
|
1951- Pakistan raises concern to
reports of Indian plans to build a barrage at Farakka.
1952- Indian government dismisses
Pakistani concern as “hypothetical.”
1960- India and Pakistan sign the Indus Waters Treaty
1971-Bangladesh is born of the East
Pakistan-West Pakistan conflict
1975-Construction of the Farakka
Barrage begins with Bangladeshi consent under condition of a limited trial
operation. India continues to divert water after the expiration of the trial
period, without renewing or renegotiating agreement.
1976-Bangladesh files formal complaint
at UN.
1977-1982 - Ganges Water Agreement
signed and implemented. Discussion on augmentation fails. Treaty is not
renewed despite provisions to do so.
1982- A memorandum of understanding
is signed, including provision for burden but not for guaranteed minimum
flow. A similar memorandum of understanding is signed.
1985- Fruitless negotiations
continue.
1988-1992 - No dialogue. India has
unilateral control of Ganges.
1993-1995- Ganges Water Treaty is signed
|
Impact of ‘Farakka Barrage’
In
Agriculture
ü
The use of shallow tube-wells in the 16 northern
districts has been severely distorted as ground water level has been downgraded
ü
Number of irrigation project became ineffective
ü
40 million people affected severely
ü
21 % of low lift pumps went out of order
In Rivers
ü
The Ganges water flow reduced to a critical
level
ü
The Garai basin became sealed
ü
Water level in the south western district
drastically reduced by 20-25%
ü
Navigation hampered by chars in river ways
In drinking water
ü Most
of the hand tube wells became ineffective as for shortage of water.
In industry
ü Due
to salinity problem, industry located in south western areas are greatly affected
In water transportation
ü 50 important
waterways has been badly affected
ü Sirajganj-Bahadurbad,
teestamukh ghat are about to be closed
ü Several damage
took place to important launch way in Khulna
In Fisheries
ü Production of fish
drastically reduced due to shortage of water
ü Beels and Haors
getting dry and causing damage to fisheries
In Forestries
ü 17% trees of
sundarbans damaged due to increased salinity
