Dhaka’s new Padma barrage will reshape water power in the region, Pg2

Key Highlights:

• Bangladesh has approved the construction of a new Padma Barrage on the Padma River, which is the Ganga in Bangladesh.
• The 2.1-km-long structure aims to store 2,900 million cubic meters of water to serve 6.5 crore people and abate seasonal water scarcity.
• The project is estimated to cost Tk 50,443 crore (Rs 39,170 crore) and will be located 180 km downstream of India's Farakka Barrage.
• The existing Ganges Water Treaty between India and Bangladesh, signed in 1996, is set to expire in December 2026.

Padma River.png

Detailed Insights:

• The Farakka Barrage was built by India to divert water from the Ganga to the Bhagirathi-Hoogly river to flush the Kolkata Port.
• Bangladesh views the Farakka Barrage as a significant impediment, contributing to its periodic water scarcity and environmental issues.
• The Ganges Water Treaty (1996) stipulates specific water-sharing arrangements during the dry season, but its effectiveness has been questioned due to unpredictable river flows.
• Environmental impacts of barrages include diminished groundwater recharge, increased salinity, riverbank erosion, and reduced freshwater flow to the Sundarbans.
• Experts suggest that building a series of smaller check-dams could be a more environmentally sound alternative to large barrages.
• The Padma Barrage project raises geopolitical concerns, particularly regarding potential Chinese involvement and its implications for regional water management.
• India has not officially commented on the new barrage, while Bangladesh emphasizes that river-sharing agreements are crucial for bilateral relations.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Barrage: A low-head dam with a series of gates designed to divert water or regulate river flow.
• Lower Riparian State: A country or region situated downstream in a river basin, whose water supply is influenced by upstream activities.
• Ganges Water Treaty (1996): A bilateral agreement between India and Bangladesh governing the sharing of the Ganga River's waters at Farakka.
• Farakka Barrage: A major barrage constructed by India on the Ganga River in West Bengal for water diversion purposes.