Only a Barrage Can Save! - The Ganga: Water Use in the Indian Subcontinent - page 95

Fig. 7.1 Index plan showing some major components of Farakka Barrage complex

5. A Navigation Lock of about 24.70 m, or 81 feet width with a lock channel
upstream of the barrage, connecting the Ganga with the Feeder Canal;
6. A number of cross-drainage structures, such as regulators, inlets, syphon at
various places in Malda and Murshidabad districts;
7. Two navigation locks, one in Murshidabad and the other in Malda districts, for
use of traffic in monsoon months; and
8. Embankments, like guide and afflux bund setc.

Problems Faced and Overcome

The main difficulty in constructing the barrage was the extremely short time avail-
able in a season to complete the work. As no work was possible during monsoon and
flood seasons, the foundation laying was planned fromDecember to May every year.