The Farakka Barrage, constructed in 1975 on the Ganga in West Bengal, is more than just an engineering project, it is a topic of national and international importance, making it essential for UPSC aspirants.
From an environmental perspective, the barrage has triggered floods and riverbank erosion in Bihar and West Bengal, displacing thousands. It disrupts aquatic ecosystems and impacts fisheries, while Bangladesh faces reduced water flow during lean seasons, sparking agricultural distress. These issues directly link to UPSC’s focus on environment, disaster management, and international relations.
Strategically, the barrage ensures Kolkata Port’s viability, a lifeline for eastern India’s trade. It supports irrigation in Bihar and West Bengal and offers India leverage in water-sharing talks with Bangladesh. This connects with UPSC’s geography, polity, and international affairs syllabus.
For students, Farakka exemplifies how a single structure influences multiple domains, ecology, economy, diplomacy, and security. It teaches the importance of balancing development with sustainability, and how water politics can shape regional stability.
In essence, knowing about the Farakka Barrage equips UPSC aspirants with an integrated understanding of India’s environmental challenges and strategic strengths, both critical to the examination and future policymaking.
