India 2018

Water Resources 531
activities by participation in various expert committees. Disseminating the
research findings amongst hydraulic research fraternity, and promoting research
activities at other institutions by imparting training to their research manpower,
are also undertaken. Considering the infrastructure and expertise available,
CWPRS has been identified under World Bank aided National Hydrology Project
as a Nodal Agency for providing overall guidance on hydro-meteorological
and water quality equipments selection, commission and quality control to all
states/union Territories.
Farakka Barrage Project
Farakka Barrage Project with headquarters at Farakka in Murshidabad district
of West Bengal is a subordinate office under the Ministry. The Farakka Barrage
Project Authority was set up in 1961 to execute and thereafter operate and
maintain the Farakka Barrage Project Complex comprising Farakka Barrage,
Jangipur Barrage, Feeder Canal, Navigation Lock and associated structures.
The project construction commenced in 1961 and the project was commissioned
in 1975.
The main objective of the Farakka Barrage Project complex is to divert
adequate quantity of Ganga waters to Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system through
38.38 km long feeder canal for preservation and maintenance of Kolkata Port
by improving the regime and navigability of the Bhagirathi-Hooghly river
system. The increased upland supply from Ganga at Farakka into Bhagirathi
reduces salinity and ensures sweet water supply to Kolkata and surrounding
areas. The rail-cum-road bridge built across the river Ganga at Farakka
establishes direct road and rail communication link to the North-Eastern Region
with rest of the country. The Hooghly-Bhagirathi river system, the Feeder Canal
and the Navigation Lock at Farakka form part of the Haldia-Allahabad Inland
Waterway (National Waterway No:1). The Feeder Canal also supplies water to
2100 MW Farakka Super Thermal Power Project (FSTPP) of NTPC Ltd. at
Farakka.
Since 2005, the Farakka Barrage Project has been entrusted with
additional responsibility of undertaking anti-erosion works in its extended
jurisdiction along the river Ganga from 40 km. upstream of Barrage to 80 km.
downstream and on tributaries of river Ganga in North Bengal.
Ganga Flood Control Commission
Ganga Flood Control Commission (GFCC), a subordinate office of the Ministry
with its headquarter at Patna, was created in 1972 to deal with floods and its
management in Ganga Basin states as secretariat and executive wing of Ganga
Flood Control Board.
Ganga Flood Control Commission (GFCC) carries out several activities as
outlined include: preparation and updating of comprehensive plan of flood
management; techno-economic appraisal of flood management schemes;
assessment of adequacy of waterways under road and rail bridges; framing of
guidelines for quality control and maintenance; monitoring of all flood