BackWORLD
Bangladesh approves project to 'negate negative impact' of India's Farakka Barrage
Bangladesh approved the Padma Barrage project to store water on the Padma (Ganges) in order to counteract the negative effects of India's Farakka Barrage upstream. The ECNEC cleared the first phase at Tk 34,497.25 crore, with officials saying the project is in Bangladesh's national interest and does not require discussions with India, though talks on Ganges waters continue.
Why It Matters
The move reflects Bangladesh's effort to manage transboundary water impacts while maintaining ongoing bilateral discussions on Ganges waters, set against the longer context of a treaty that is reportedly due to expire.
Timeline
3 Events
Bangladesh approves Padma Barrage project
May 13, 2026
Bangladesh approved a mega project to build a barrage on the Padma river. The ECNEC cleared the first phase at an estimated cost of Tk 34,497.25 crore. The project aims to store water on the Bangladesh side to 'negate the negative impact' of the Farakka Barrage upstream. The minister said the project is in Bangladesh's national interest and does not require discussion with India, though discussions with India on the Ganges waters are continuing.
Ganges Water Sharing Treaty due to expire
1996
The article notes that the 1996 Indo-Bangladesh Ganges Water Sharing Treaty is due to expire in December.
Farakka Barrage commissioned
1975
India commissioned the 2,240-metre-long Farakka Barrage in West Bengal in 1975 to divert water from the Ganges into the Hooghly river in order to flush out silt and maintain the navigability of the Kolkata port.