Farakka Barrage

The Farakka Barrage is a dam located in West Bengal, India, near the border with Bangladesh. Constructed in 1976, its primary purpose was to divert Ganges River waters south into India. India's rationale was to combat hydrological changes that had reduced the water flow to the port of Kolkata, causing silt deposition and saltwater intrusion. The barrage aimed to flush out seawater and raise the water level at Kolkata.1

However, the Farakka Barrage has been a source of dispute with Bangladesh, which argued that the diversion deprived southwestern Bangladesh of essential water resources, particularly during the dry season. An agreement was signed in 1996 to apportion the Ganges waters between the two countries, aiming to resolve the long-standing water-sharing friction. The Ganges River, known as the Padma in Bangladesh, is a crucial waterway for both nations.12