Padma Barrage: Bangladesh's Bold Response to Farakka's Legacy

Bangladesh approved a large-scale project to build the Padma Barrage, aiming to mitigate the effects of India's Farakka Barrage on the Ganges River. The project is expected to enhance water management and ecological balance, though experts caution potential environmental impacts. Scheduled for completion by 2033, it involves significant investment and strategic planning.

Bangladesh has embarked on an ambitious project to construct the Padma Barrage on the Padma river, aiming to counteract the enduring impacts of India's Farakka Barrage. Approved on Wednesday, the initiative seeks to reinstate the natural flow and ecological balance of river systems within the country.

The decision arrived just months ahead of the expiration of the Indo-Bangladesh Ganges Water Sharing Treaty. Spearheaded by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the project carries an estimated cost of Tk 34,497.25 crore (approximately USD 280 million).

Officials assert that this venture is aligned with national interests and designed exclusively for internal benefits, despite potential concerns from environmental experts about sedimentation and ecological risks. The comprehensive project, spanning three divisions, is slated for completion by 2033.