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Feeder Canal were designed to handle 40,000 cusecs only; there was no allowance
for higher discharges, if needed.
Thus, the apprehension of the Government of West Bengal about the availabil-
ity of minimum discharge of 40,000 cusecs of water in the River Bhagirathi was
genuine. It was also expressed by bureaucrats, ministers, Members of Parliament
and others on various occasions since 1968. Dr. Dharm Vir, then Governor of
West Bengal in a letter dated 16th February 1969 to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
emphasized the importance of minimum head-water discharge of 40,000 cusecs and
designed incapacity of the regulator to allow more discharge in the Feeder Canal.
Biswanath Mukherjee, the State Minister of Irrigation and Waterways in a letter
dated 19th March 1969 to Dr. K. L. Rao wrote:
Studies made in different offices connected with the problem
indicate that the minimum
requirement of water for the River Bhagirathi from the Farakka Barrage is 40,000 cusecs.
But since anything more than that is not possible because of the limited design capacity of
the regulator, we must endure that the flow does not go below 40,000 cusecs, even in the
dry months. In fact, the dry period from March to May is the crucial period. It is during this
period that 80% to 85% of the deterioration of the river-bed of the Hooghly takes place and
hence the imperative necessity of maintaining the upland discharge of 40,000 cusecs even
during this period. If that discharge were reduced during the three months from March to
May, the result would be that the rate of deterioration, now noticed in the upper reaches,
would be somewhat reduced, but the zone of sedimentation might be shifted downwards
with various adverse effects. If this condition is allowed to continue, not only the Farakka
Barrage Project will be infructuous but the Haldia port may be affected.
In these circumstances, I would request you to see that the waters of the Ganga are not
utilized for meeting any other demand (e.g., irrigation) without first ensuring that the
Bhagirathi will receive at least 40,000 cusecs through the Feeder Canal throughout the year
and even during the dry months. It is needless to remind you that the Farakka Barrage
Project is meant for saving the river Hooghly for the port of Calcutta and water from the
Ganga cannot be taken away for any other purpose without assuring sufficient supply to the
Bhagirathi. And we firmly hold that our minimum requirement of 40,000 cusecs throughout
the year including lean months should be fulfilled.
...
The same apprehension was voiced by the then Chief Minister of West Bengal,
Ajay Mukherjee in separate letters to Dr. V. R. Gadgil, Deputy Chairman of India's
Planning Commission and to Indira Gandhi, dated 21st May 1969 and 22nd April
1971, respectively. To Dr. Gadgil he wrote:
The requirement of 40,000 cusecs of water was arrived at by internationally known technical
authorities. The technical opinion in India is also for making available at least 40,000 cusecs
of water.
...
Ever since we got this information, we have been trying to get details from the
Ministry of Irrigation & Power, whether the proposed project is a reservoir project or a
barrage project. The reason for our apprehension is that if water is diverted in the upper
reaches without taking into account the immediate requirement of 40,000 cusecs for the
Farakka Barrage Project, the very purpose for which the scheme was undertaken will be
frustrated.
...
To Indira Gandhi he wrote:
...
The State Government also wanted to know, whether any contrary opinion to the expert
advice that 40,000 cusecs of water is the minimum to resuscitate the Bhagirathi has ever
been expressed by any authority and if so, the details thereof may be supplied
...
it is high
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