Lok Sabha Question No. 142 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Erosion by Ganga River
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Khalilur Rahaman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 142

## ANSWERED ON 20.07.2023

## EROSION BY GANGA RIVER

## 142.   SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  problem  of  erosion  caused  by  the  river  Ganga  in  the Murshidabad district of West Bengal causing huge loss of land and property leaving thousands homeless and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes for a permanent solution to the problem of erosion by Ganga in the Murshidabad district;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to set up an expert committee to recommend a permanent solution to the problem and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU )

(a) Government of West Bengal has informed that around 1480 hectares of land in the adjoining areas of the  river  Ganga-Padma  in  the  district  of  Murshidabad  comprising  Farakka,  Samsergunj,  Suti-I  &  II, Raghunathgunj-II, Lalgola, Bhawangola-II, Raninagar-II, Jalangi blocks and Dhuliyan Municipality have been eroded during the last 15 years.

(b) to (d) Erosion,  movement and deposition of sediment in river are natural regulating functions of a river. Rivers tend to maintain a balance between the silt load carried & silt load deposited, maintaining a river regime. Soil erosion caused by heavy floods is a matter of concern as it leads to several associated problems  like  changes  in  river  course,  causing  loss  of  land,  etc.  Flood  management  including  erosion control falls within the purview of the States. Flood management and anti-erosion schemes are formulated and  implemented  by  concerned  State  Governments  as  per  their  priority.  The  Union  Government supplements  the  efforts  of  the  States  by  providing  technical  guidance  and  also  promotional  financial assistance for management of floods in critical areas.

Farakka Barrage Project situated in Murshidabad district, a subordinate organization under Department  of  Water  Resources,  River  Development  &  Ganga  Rejuvenation,  undertakes  river  bank protection  works  in  its  jurisdiction,  as  per  the  recommendation  of  Technical  Advisory  Committee  of Farakka Barrage Project, in critical reaches for the safety and security of the barrage and its appurtenant structures.

As per the request of State Government of West Bengal, a Committee comprising members from the State  Government  of West  Bengal and concerned Central Government  Departments, under the chairmanship of Chairman, Central Water Commission, has been constituted by the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation to undertake a joint detailed technical study for an integrated  plan  to  combat  the  threat  of  erosion  posed  by  Ganga-Padma  river  in  the  District  of  Malda, Murshidabad & Nadia in West Bengal.