Farakka Barrage
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Overview
Farakka Barrage spans the Ganga in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, a short distance before the river enters Bangladesh.
Completed in 1975, it diverts part of the Ganga's flow through a feeder canal into the Bhagirathi–Hooghly to flush silt and keep Kolkata port navigable.
Sharing of the dry-season flow at Farakka led to the India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty of 1996, which runs for thirty years.
Geography and key facts
- River: Ganga, Murshidabad district, West Bengal
- Commissioned in 1975
- Feeder canal to the Bhagirathi–Hooghly for Kolkata port
- India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty (1996)
Why it matters for UPSC
Water-sharing with neighbours – Ganga (Bangladesh), Indus (Pakistan), Kosi and Gandak (Nepal) – is a frequent GS-2 theme.
Note for UPSC
Ganga, West Bengal; diverts water to the Hooghly; linked to the India–Bangladesh Ganga treaty.
Prelims pairs dams and projects with their rivers and states.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Farakka Barrage yet.
Key facts
- Type
- Dam / reservoir
- State / UT
- West Bengal
- Basin
- Ganga
- River
- Ganga
- Coordinates
- 24.804°N, 87.933°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
More dams and reservoirs (same basin first)
Also in the Ganga basin
Other places in West Bengal
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