States » EastPosted at: Oct 25 2026 10:59PM


Ganga-Fulahar confluence poses threat to North Bengal connectivity: WB Chief Secretary

Siliguri, Oct 25 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal on Sunday visited Malda by helicopter to review the alarming erosion and flood situation along the Ganga, Fulahar and Kosi rivers ahead of a crucial meeting of the Ganga Flood Control Board in Delhi on October 27, which Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to attend.
After conducting an aerial survey of the affected areas, Agarwal held a high-level meeting with stakeholders and officials, including representatives of the Bihar and Jharkhand governments, to discuss flood control measures and a permanent solution to the erosion problem.
The October 27 meeting in Delhi, to be chaired by the union Minister for Water Resources, is expected to discuss coordinated measures to address the changing course of the Ganga, the threat to Bhutni Diara and the potential disruption of road and railway connectivity between North Bengal and the rest of West Bengal.
The Chief Secretary, accompanied by the principal secretaries of the Disaster Management and Irrigation and Waterways departments, including Rajesh Sinha, and other officials, surveyed vulnerable stretches along the rivers, including areas affected by embankment breaches and continuing erosion in Bhutni Diara.
Expressing concern over the possibility of the Ganga and Fulahar joining at a vulnerable stretch, Agarwal said the two rivers were separated by only about 750 metres at one point, with several smaller channels flowing through the intervening area.
“If the Ganga and Fulahar meet at this point, the situation could become extremely dangerous. It is a natural calamity, and we need to take appropriate measures,” he told reporters.
He warned that such a development could sever North Bengal's road and railway connectivity with South Bengal, particularly during a major flood.
The meeting also discussed the Ganga's shift of approximately six kilometres from its earlier course near Shakrigali Ghat in Jharkhand, which has aggravated erosion and threatened vulnerable stretches in West Bengal and Bihar.
A coordinated plan to construct 12 spurs along a 16-kilometre stretch was discussed, with Bihar expected to construct seven and West Bengal five. The structures are intended to divert the river's flow and protect vulnerable riverbanks. The designs will require approval from the Ganga Flood Control Commission (GFCC).
Dredging along the affected stretch near Shakrigali Ghat, estimated to cost around Rs 50 crore, was also discussed as a measure to help divert the river towards its earlier course.
The continuing erosion and flood threat in Bhutni Diara, which was recently inundated on a large scale, also featured prominently in the discussions. Mr Agarwal said a detailed project report would be prepared by the state government for submission to the GFCC. The government is also considering newer technologies for flood protection and erosion control in the island.
The meeting further examined the threat posed by the Kosi river system and the need to construct an embankment. Experts from IIT Kanpur and IIT Roorkee are expected to formulate the design, while the state government will undertake the construction after the necessary approvals.
Agarwal said the GFCC's approval would be mandatory before any of the proposed works could be implemented.
The Bihar government has already issued its no-objection certificate (NOC), while the Jharkhand government's clearance is awaited. The issue is expected to be taken up at the October 27 meeting in Delhi, where representatives of the neighbouring states are also expected to participate.
The Chief Secretary stressed the need for coordinated action by the Centre, the state governments and technical agencies to address the changing river course, protect vulnerable areas and prevent a major disruption of connectivity across North Bengal.
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