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West Bengal Farakka Barrage On Ganges River
Farakka Barrage as constructed in Nawabganj district of West Bengal during 1975. This barrage is very closely located with the international border of Bangla Desh. Foundation of this barrage was laid down during the year 1961 and completion done in 1975. It took 14 years in completion. This barrage is approximately 2.25 kilometers long. The canal which feed this barrage from Bhagirathi-Hooghly river is 40 kilometers long. The agricultural land connected with Hooghly river did not receive any water in summer season as the river goes dry. Farmers of that area suffered a lot even the conditions like a drought have raised at several times in the area. To overcome this problem, it was surveyed and decided to divert some water from River Ganges to Hooghly so that the irrigation problem may not arise and smooth development of all the areas can be ensured. Hooghly River is also acts like a border line between Malda and Murshidabad districts in West Bengal.
History
As the River Ganges is one of the major rivers of the world. More than 48% of Indian population resides on the basins of this river. Also more than 97 urban suburbs have been developed on the banks of this river at various places of the flow way. This river flows down in the Bay of Bangal with a vast flowing area. More than 1/3rd population of Bangla Desh resides in the basin of this river. Seeing this, it was decided to share the water of this river for meeting agricultural requirement of both the countries. As a joint venture, the water sharing was started for a limited period on trail basis. Later it was decided that no hydro electric plants will be erected on the water sharing points by both the countries. The water will only be utilised for irrigation purposes. But this pact was also not resulted into fruitful as the ill water supply did not meet with the requirement of Bangladesh. Loose water supply also resulted in soil erosion, disturbed and deteriorated shore and poor fisheries development. This was also a health hazard to the population affected. To prevent the population from these threats, Hindustan Construction Company constructed a Channel of 109 gates to protect and restrict the water discharge as per requirement with a desired flow. From this barrage 60 canals have been initiated to meet agricultural requirement of vase irrigation area of India. This facility has also been developed in the area of Bangladesh.
Technical Portion
This barrage has 109 gates to control and regulate the water discharge. 2 gates have been collapsed during construction. The length of barrage is 2.25 kilometers long. The distribution of gates is done in such a manner so that water discharge may not put heavy load on another and the walls of the barrage. Water feeding canal has also been designed in such a direction that in the event of water discharge, the bed of canal is not loaded with mud and sand.
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