The Farakka Barrage: Its Role in Kolkata Port and Impacts on India and Bangladesh

Introduction

The Farakka Barrage is a significant hydro-engineering project located in the northern part of West Bengal, India, and it plays a critical role in maintaining the navigability of the Hooghly River for Kolkata Port. This structure, located at the confluence of the Ganges and Bhagirathi rivers, has been a subject of considerable debate in both India and Bangladesh due to its environmental and social impacts. This article delves into the purpose of the Farakka Barrage, how it affects Kolkata, and its implications for both India and Bangladesh.

What is the Farakka Barrage?

The Farakka Barrage is a series of lock gates and a bridge that spans the Ganges River and provides controlled water flow to the Hooghly River, which historically has been known to become saline due to tidal influx from the Bay of Bengal. The construction of the Farakka Barrage was a major decision taken by the Indian government to ensure the Hooghly River remains navigable for transportation to Kolkata Port, as well as to regulate the salinity of the Hooghly, thereby making it safer for drinking water after purification.

Building the Farakka Barrage

The Farakka Barrage was built in the 1970s as part of a plan to keep the Hooghly River navigable. The project was initiated by the then Central Government of India. The construction began in 1971 and was completed in 1975. The barrage was designed to hold the water from the Ganges under locked gate systems, regulating the artificial water flow through a manually dug feeder canal into the Ganga's abandoned river canal known as Bhagirathi and later as the Hooghly at its downstream flow.

Impact on Kolkata Port

The primary purpose of the Farakka Barrage is to maintain the navigability of the Hooghly River. Before the construction of the barrage, the Hooghly River would become too shallow due to tidal effects from the Bay of Bengal, causing it to become unsuitable for large ships to navigate. This constraint significantly hindered the functioning of Kolkata Port, one of the busiest ports in India. With the construction of the Barrage, the river's water depth is maintained, ensuring that ships can continue to dock and unload goods efficiently, thus supporting the economic activities of Kolkata and the region.

Water Quality and Drinking Water for Kolkata

Another critical function of the Farakka Barrage is to regulate the salinity of the Hooghly River. The tidal waters from the Bay of Bengal enter the Hooghly, making the river water saline, especially during low flow periods. This salinity makes the water unfit for consumption. The Farakka Barrage's artificial water flow ensures that the river maintains a suitable level of freshwater, thereby reducing salinity and making the water safer for drinking after purification. This has been a significant benefit to Kolkata residents, as it provides them with a consistent supply of safe drinking water.

Impacts on Bangladesh

The construction of the Farakka Barrage has also had significant implications for Bangladesh, as it alters the natural flow of the Ganges River. Bangladesh, which relies heavily on the Ganges for irrigation, navigation, and water supply, has long been at loggerheads with India over the project. The reduced water flow has led to concerns about the availability of water for agriculture, and the ecological impact on the Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers in Bangladesh has been a subject of contention. Critics argue that the Farakka Barrage has disrupted the natural ecological balance, causing water scarcity and harming the agricultural sector in Bangladesh.

Conclusion

The Farakka Barrage has been hailed as a life-saver for Kolkata, particularly for its role in maintaining the navigability of the Hooghly River and regulating water salinity to ensure the supply of safe drinking water. However, it remains a contentious issue in India-Bangladesh relations due to its impact on Bangladesh's water resources and ecological balance. The ongoing debate underscores the complexity of managing shared river systems and the need for careful planning and collaboration to mitigate negative impacts.