Indo-Bangla Treaty under focus as Ganges touches low level

New Delhi, Mar 9 (UNI) The functioning of the Kolkata Port and the operations of the NTPC's Super Thermal Power House near the Farakka may be jeopardised at least for some weeks as the level of the Ganges has touched an unprecedented low due to near absence of rains in the gangetic plains.

The development has also brought the 10-year-old Indo-Bangladesh Treaty under a sharp focus.

Informed sources said there were absolutely no rains in Gangetic plains, threatening the working of the Kolkata port itself which requires about 20,000 cusecs of flow from the barrage to maintain its navigablity. The NTPC also requires substantial quantities of water for cooling towers resulting in shutting of the power generation at a time when the state is facing elections.

The low flow of Ganga is not likely to stop at halting operations within the country but will pose a challenge to the India-Bangladesh Treaty to share Ganga waters at Farakka during the lean season of January to May every year.

The Treaty signed in 1996 allows the two signatories to share the water on a 50:50 rotation basis. Each country will receive 35,000 cusecs leaving the rest of the flow to the other country for a 10-day rotation. The Treaty provides for 'immediate consultation' between the two countries when the water flow to the Farakka was less than 60,000 cusecs. The flow has been less than this mark since February.

There was a similar situation in 1997 when the river at Farakka barrage touched a low and India's proposal to share the water flows equally instead of the clause of retaining 35,000 cusecs was not accepted by Bangladesh. However, the situation was eased because of snow melting in Himalayas.

The sources said Bangaladesh had been sounded about the low rainfall in the states of basin states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Eastern parts of Rajasthan, Eastern and Western Madhya Pradesh which received less rainfall even during the monsoons. In the post monsoon scenario there was very little or no rainfall Since October 2005 till February.

UNI MCN AT PC1512