Chronology of Events - The Ganga: Water Use in the Indian Subcontinent - page 227

Organization
agency/government Year Observations

H. G. Reaks 1919 The Hooghly channels are capable of considerable

improvement, provided the river is kept in a healthy
condition by maintaining fresh water supply from
Nadia rivers and their tidal volumes; on these two
factors depends the existence of a satisfactory
waterway for deep-drafted vessels to and from
Calcutta Port.

Sir William Willcocks,
British Engineer, in
'Restoration of
Ancient Irrigation
of Bengal'

1928 Suggested building a barrage below the head of Boral

river for heading up water and generating flow
through the Bhagirathi, the Jalangi, the Mathabhanga,
the Gorai and the Boral to ensure overflow irrigation
in the adjoining land of Bengal.

T. M. Oag, Deputy
River Surveyor,
CPC

1930 Recommended additional supply of water at the head of

the Hooghly to prevent silting of the bed.

A. Webster, Chief
Engineer, Calcutta
Port

1946 Recommended construction of a barrage across the

Ganga for diversion of 10,000 cusecs of water as well
as dredging and river-training in lower reaches.

M/s. Rendel, Palmer
and Triton,
Consulting
Engineering
Company

1946-1947 Proposed a ship canal to link Calcutta Port with

Diamond Harbour, lower down the Hooghly. Its
construction was a feasible feat and no difficulties
were envisaged beyond those, normally associated
with such projects.

ii) After India's Independence

Individual/Committee etc. Year Observation

Man Singh Committee 1952 Condition of the Hooghly river between Nabadwip

and Calcutta has deteriorated. Suggested
additional supply of water at the head of the
Hooghly and favoured construction of a barrage at
Farakka for diversion of water.

S. C. Majumder, Chief
Engineer Central Water
and Power Commission
in 'Ganga Barrage and
the Bhagirathi-Hooghly
river problems'

1953 The Bhagirathi now remains cut off from the Ganga

except during flood and would have remained so
in normal time but for flows from the western
tributaries and tidal flushing in the lower reaches,
assisted by the conservancy measures of the
Calcutta Port.
The Ganga Barrage Project, conceived at an
estimated cost of Rs. 39.87 crores (398.7 million),
aims to supply water perennially from the Ganga
to the order of about 20,000 cusecs through the
Bhagirathi for the benefit of the Calcutta Port.