Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
After the Treaty (1997 to 2001)
Immediately after the signing of the Treaty, the procedures for inspection and
monitoring of water-sharing, measurements of releases to Bangladesh, India's with-
drawals through the feeder canal and flow arrivals at Hardinge Bridge were required
to be instituted, for which the joint committee met in New Delhi on 21 st December
1996. In this meeting, it was decided to set up observation teams at suitable sites near
the Farakka Barrage and the Hardinge Bridge, to work out a method of functioning
of the joint committee and submission of daily reports etc. It was also decided that
in the lean season, joint teams would measure the discharge in the Ganga down-
stream and in the feeder canal from eight in the morning to 12 noon and inform
the Barrage authorities about the quantum of releases to be made in two directions;
they would then operate the barrage and the regulator gates as per the schedule and
release water, accordingly. The records would be transmitted everyday in the pre-
scribed format. The same procedure would be followed at the Hardinge Bridge site
at Bangladesh.
The implementation of the Treaty started from 1 st January 1997. A four-member
first observation team from Bangladesh was stationed at Farakka from 1 st January
to 31 st May, that year. Along with the Indian team, joint observation of the Ganga
downstream and of canal started. The flows were recorded, every day and gauge
observations were taken every 4 h, day and night. Water was released thereafter from
1400 to 1800 h every day in the Ganga and the feeder canal by operating the barrage
gates. India's observation team, stationed at Bheramara in Bangladesh and along
with the Bangladesh team, they began joint observations in the Padma, upstream
of the Hardinge Bridge. Based on field observations, the discharge in the river was
computed at both the places and the data were transmitted to various departments as
per guidelines.
The lean season discharge, available in the Ganga in 1997 fell below 50,000
cusecs in 1 st week of April, necessitating invocation of emergency clause of the
Article II (iii) of the Treaty.
The matter was discussed in New Delhi and in Dhaka soon afterward. It was
jointly decided that the minimum flow to either side would not go below 15,000
cusecs. Irrespective of arrivals at Farakka and that there would not be any adjust-
ments of flows to either side on account of this arrangement except to the extent,
dictated by the gate operations.
The sudden fall in discharge in the feeder canal, from 35,000 cusecs in the
end of one 10-day period to 15,000 cusecs, or less, in the beginning of next
10-day period was referred to the Joint Committee. If such falling flows per-
sisted, it would have jeopardized the safety of the unlined earthen channel by
causing bank slips. India pointed out that the feeder canal, being earthen, could
not be subjected to such sudden and rapid fluctuations of flow. Such low levels
should be gradual, particularly at the falling stage. As a result, lesser discharge
would be released to either side, in their turn of getting 35,000 cusecs. After
discussions, both sides agreed to modify operation and to suitably adjust the
shortfall.
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