Bangladesh has approved construction of the Padma barrage to regulate the Padma river, the local name for the Ganga, and ease seasonal water shortages. The 2.1-km structure will store 2,900 million cubic meters of water for 6.5 crore people in southwestern and northern areas. The project is expected to cost Tk 50,443 crore, or Rs 39,170 crore, and take seven years. Located 180 km downstream from the Farakka barrage in West Bengal, the new barrage is viewed by Bangladesh as a counter to an obstacle. The Farakka barrage, one of India’s largest with a feeder canal, diverts Ganga water to the Bhagirathi-Hooghly to maintain the Kolkata Port.
