NEW DELHI: In the backdrop of talks between India and Bangladesh to renew the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty between the two countries, a team of senior officials from the Union Jal Shakti ministry has visited Farakka Barrage Project in West Bengal and reviewed its various technical and administrative aspects.Farakka Barrage, located in Murshidabad and Malda districts, is key to the 30-year-old water sharing treaty which will expire in Dec. It is expected that the fresh negotiation to renew it will speed up once a new govt comes to power in Dhaka after Feb 12 elections in the country.The team of officials, led by Union water resources secretary V L Kantha Rao, reviewed the overall progress of works undertaken under the Farakka Barrage Project and underscored the importance of its strengthening and proper maintenance.“The secretary emphasized the need for timely completion of ongoing works, advised proactive resolution of bottlenecks, and stressed ensuring time-bound progress on priority works related to the operation, maintenance, and modernization of the Farakka Barrage,” said an official statement, issued after the conclusion of the team’s two-day visit on Wednesday.The team, composed of officials from the Central Water Commission (CWC), inspected navigational locks at Farakka and the feeder canal.The Farakka Barrage is one of the largest barrages of its kind in the country having a feeder canal for a water flow of 40,000 cusec whose bed width is wider than that of Suez canal.It also ensures water supply for use of the thermal power plant operated by NTPC Ltd at Farakka (2,100 MW) and West Bengal State Power Distribution Company at Sagardighi (600 MW).
