The Farakka Barrage, a key structure on India's Ganges River, is vital for water diversion, aiding irrigation and navigation. It remains a central point in...
It is a major barrage on the Ganges River in West Bengal, India, designed to divert water into the Hooghly River for improving navigation to Kolkata Port and for regional irrigation.
The primary purpose was to divert Ganges water into the Hooghly River during dry seasons to flush out silt, maintaining the navigability of Kolkata Port, and for irrigation in West Bengal.
The chief concern is the equitable sharing of Ganges waters, particularly during lean periods, which impacts agriculture, fisheries, and the environment in downstream Bangladesh due to reduced flow.
Yes, India and Bangladesh signed a 30-year treaty in 1996 for sharing Ganges waters at Farakka, aiming for a fair distribution during dry seasons, though concerns occasionally resurface.